Glaucoma affects 70 million people worldwide, making it the most prevalent neurodegenerative disease and one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. The disease is characterized by the progressive degeneration of the cells of the retina and the optic nerve.

Although glaucoma is a very common disease throughout the world, little is known about what causes it. Previously, it was thought that the only factor involved in the development of glaucoma was the increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). Although intraocular pressure is the main risk factor, several studies have been conducted in recent years in which it was observed that some patients with normal intraocular pressure developed a glaucomatous degeneration of the retina. Also, patients whose IOP is effectively controlled by medical treatment often continue to suffer progressive loss of vision, suggesting that additional mechanisms of damage exist.

A new study from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Massachusetts Eye and Ear has discovered that an autoimmune mechanism may be involved in the development of this disease. In a study of mice, the researchers showed that the body's own T cells, which are part of the immune system, are responsible for the progressive retinal degeneration seen in glaucoma.

This research allows us to conclude that it would be possible to implement new therapeutic measures by blocking this autoimmune activity. "This allows us to establish a new approach for the treatment and prevention of glaucoma," said Jianzhu Chen, a professor of biology at MIT, and one of the study's lead authors.

T cells and bacteria

The increase in intraocular pressure occurs as people age, due to a blockage of the ducts that allow the flow of fluid contained in the eye. The disease generally is not detected at the beginning; patients may not realize they suffer from it until half of their ganglion cells in the retina have been lost.

Most current treatments for glaucoma are aimed at decreasing intraocular pressure; however, in many patients, the disease continues to progress even after the intraocular pressure returns to normal. The studies carried out showed that this situation also occurs in mice.

"That led us to the thought that this increase in intraocular pressure should trigger progressive changes in the retinal tissue, and the first explanation that occurred to me is that they have to be involved an autoimmune response," says Dong Feng Chen, associate professor of ophthalmology at the Harvard Medical School.

To test this hypothesis, the researchers looked for the presence of T cells in the retina of these mice and found that, in fact, there were immune cells inside the retina, something unusual due to the action of a retinal cell barrier that suppresses inflammation of the eye.

The researchers found that, with increased intraocular pressure, the T cells manage to cross this barrier and reach the retina. During the study, the researchers generated an increase in intraocular pressure in mice lacking T cells and found that while increased intraocular pressure causes damage to the retina, once the IOP returns to normal values, the progression of the disease stops.

Previous studies revealed that T cells linked to glaucoma act against proteins called heat shock proteins, which help cells respond to stress or injury. Normally, T cells should not attack the proteins produced by the host, but the researchers suspected that previous exposure to bacterial heat shock proteins could induce this action.

Human applications

After these findings in mice, researchers turned to humans with glaucoma and found that these patients had five times the normal level of T cells specific for heat shock proteins, which suggests that this phenomenon may also contribute to the disease in humans.

So far, the researchers' studies suggest that the effect is not specific to a particular species of bacteria, but that exposure to a combination of bacteria can generate T cells that act against heat shock proteins.

One question that the researchers plan to clarify is whether there are other components of the immune system that are involved in the development of glaucoma. They are also investigating the possibility that this phenomenon may be the basis of other neurodegenerative disorders and ways to treat such disorders by blocking the autoimmune response.

When the dog’s toenails are prettier than yours, it’s time for action. Though you see them wherever bare feet and sandals occur, thick toenails are not just a benign side effect of getting older. They are a problem.

A good pedicure can do a lot to restore your feet to something you can expose in sandals without embarrassment, and you should treat yourself. But that’s not the whole answer because you also need to control whatever it is that causes your toenails to thicken to double, triple, and quadruple their normal size.

The most likely cause is a fungus—onychomycosis. It’s a condition that affects an estimated 20% of adults. Usually, it isn’t very noticeable at first. So when it seems that toenails are getting thicker with age, they are actually getting thicker the longer the fungus is present. Plus, this condition often begins on just one or two toes and it may take a while for it to spread to a whole foot and become obvious.

Onychomycosis is more visible on the feet of older people for another reason, too. The challenge of bending over.

Except for people who are naturally limber or who have worked at it with regular yoga or stretching, the average 60-year old has a lot more trouble reaching his or her toes than the average 18-year old.

At this point, I can almost hear you say, “I don’t have a fungus. It’s just this one nail that gets fat.”

You probably have a fungus.

Really. Onychomycosis can exist for a long time before it causes dire problems like foul odors, burning, itching, discoloration, or severely maimed looking brittle and crumbling nails. But that’s why you can treat it at home in most cases. If you stop it early, you won’t need prescription medicines.

There are other reasons for thick toenails as well. So if these apply to you, you will need a different answer. One is psoriasis. If you have it elsewhere, you may have it on your feet. And just as the disease causes thickening of the skin, it causes thickening of nails. This requires help from your doctor.

You should also see a doctor if you have poor circulation or diabetes.

You can also cause your nails to thicken by wearing shoes that rub, pinch, or push against the toenails. Dropping a hammer on your toes will do the trick as well. These cases are simple. Change shoes.

Also, change socks if you have sweaty feet. Sweat encourages fungus. Wicking materials that are sold for camping and hiking are good choices. So are pure wool socks.

But if fungus is the problem, then these simple home remedies may do the trick…

First, there’s Vick’s Vapo Rub. Put a dab on the top of your nail and rub it around the cuticle and edges of the nail every night. Vicks contains camphor and eucalyptus oil which can kill the fungus in some cases.

Another home cure that may work is snakeroot extract. This needs to be applied every third day for a month, every second day the next month, and once a week in the third month. It’s slow, but as long as you have no pain or itching, that doesn’t matter.

These gentle remedies are not a fast process. It takes a year or longer for a toenail to completely grow out, but they are easy and safe.

Finally, if you are not going out for a professional pedicure, you need to trim your nails carefully and keep them in shape. Soak your feet at least 10 minutes to soften the nail. Then use toenail “nippers,” which you can find in your local drugstore. Clip a little at a time until you can get the whole nail under control. File the edge of your nail gently to smooth it out.

And just in case you are feeling terrifically ambitious, a word of warning. Do not take a Dremel to the top of the nail to grind it down to normal thickness! That’s inviting fungus trouble ahead. Also, be careful about pushing back cuticles because you can easily cause a tear or break in the skin that gives fungus a new entry point.

The good news is that once your fungus is cleared up and your nails are in shape, they will probably stay that way with regular care.

Multiple studies suggest a relationship between the intestinal microbiome and a wide variety of psychiatric, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases.

The new advances in medicine have allowed prolonging human life expectancy, which is easily noticeable when observing the accelerated aging of the world population, mainly in developed countries. The United Nations estimates that the number of people over 60 years of age increases at a rate of about 3 percent a year.

The most recent statistics show that there are approximately 960 million people, over 60 years of age in the world. By 2050 it is estimated that these figures will double.

Aging is accompanied by a variety of diseases that decrease the quality of life enjoyed by people. One example is Alzheimer's disease, whose incidence will double by 2060 in the United States, according to a study by the Center for the Control and Prevention of Diseases (CDC).

As research on aging progresses, it becomes increasingly clear that a wide variety of molecular mechanisms regulates this natural process.

Marina Ezcurra, Ph.D. a professor of neuroscience in the Faculty of Biological and Chemical Sciences of the Queen Mary University of London in the United Kingdom devotes a large part of her research to studying the molecular mechanisms involved in aging.

Recently, Ezcurra and her team have used a worm called Caenorhabditis elegans to study gastrointestinal aging and the role of the microbiome in this process.

Her essay entitled, "The worm-bug: a combined model system to study host-microbiome interactions," Ezcurra presented C. elegans as a viable model to study gastrointestinal aging.

C. elegans has a life expectancy of only 2-3 weeks, but as it gets older, it develops several pathologies related to aging.

During the investigation, the worm was fed with approximately 4,000 mutant E. coli strains, each with a specific gene removed. 29 of the 4,000 mutant strains increased the life expectancy of the worms. Also, 12 of these mutant bacteria prevented tumor growth and the accumulation of beta-amyloid (a protein involved in the development of Alzheimer's disease).

Another successful study in C. elegans that demonstrated the effects of the microbiome on the aging process included a diabetes medication called metformin. Metformin is the most widely used medication for diabetes worldwide.

Ezcurra and her research team plan to develop a study in which they intend to colonize C. elegans with human bacterial strains to study the effects on aging and health.

"The next step for my research is to use C. elegans to reveal the role of the microbiome in human health," commented Ezcurra.

There are multiple studies that suggest a relationship between the intestinal microbiome and a wide variety of psychiatric, neurodegenerative, and metabolic diseases.

It seems to be clear that the diversity of the microbiome contributes to the health of the human being; however, it is necessary to clarify how we can improve our microbiome to prevent diseases related to aging.

For a long time, scientists and public health organizations have recommended the consumption of fiber; however, until recently, no agreement established how much fiber we should consume exactly.

With the aim of resolving this situation, a group of researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) carried out a study in which they analyzed the clinical trials conducted in the last 40 years to determine how much fiber we should consume to reduce premature mortality and prevent the development of chronic diseases.

Noncommunicable diseases are those that cannot be spread from person to person or from animal to person; they are also called chronic diseases because they are long-lasting and progress slowly. WHO classifies noncommunicable diseases into four main groups: cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and chronic respiratory diseases. This type of pathologies constitutes a public health problem worldwide since they have a great impact on collective health and generate high costs in the health area.

Professor Jim Mann, from the University of Otago, New Zealand, is the corresponding author of the study, and Andrew Reynolds, a postdoctoral researcher at the Dunedin School of Medicine in Otago, is the first author of the article.

"The previously performed meta-analyses have been in charge of examining a single indicator of the quality of carbohydrates and a limited number of diseases. Therefore it has not been possible to determine with precision which foods we should recommend preventing the development of a range of pathologies, "explained Prof. Mann

To find out, the researchers conducted a meta-analysis of observational studies and clinical trials.

The daily intake of 25 to 29 grams of fiber is ideal

During the investigation, Dr. Reynolds and his team analyzed the data included in 185 observational studies, totaling 135 million people per year, and 58 clinical trials that enrolled more than 4,600 people in total. The studies examined were conducted in the last 40 years.

The scientists showed that the main chronic diseases that led to premature deaths were: diabetes mellitus type 2, stroke, coronary heart disease, colon cancer and other cancers related to obesity such as endometrial cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and esophageal cancer.

In general, the research showed that people with a high fiber intake have between 15% and 30% less likely to die prematurely from cardiovascular disease, compared to those who consume little fiber.

The consumption of foods rich in fiber reduces up to 25% the incidence of coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, and colon cancer.

Foods rich in fiber include whole grains, vegetables, fruits and legumes, such as peas, beans, lentils, and chickpeas.

One of the most important results of this study indicates that the daily fiber intake necessary to obtain these health benefits is 25 to 29 grams (g). The researchers suggest that consuming more than 29 g of fiber per day can produce even more health benefits. It is important to mention that in the United States the average adult consumes only 15 grams of fiber per day.

Although the study did not observe any adverse effects of fiber consumption, the scientists suggest that excessive fiber intake can be harmful in people with iron or mineral deficiencies.

Based on the clinical trials included in the study, it was also possible to conclude that the consumption of fiber helps to lose weight and to decrease cholesterol levels.

Why is fiber so good for you?

The benefits of fiber in health are backed by more than 100 years of scientific research. Foods rich in fiber retain much of their structure in the intestine. Therefore they increase satiety and help control weight.

Fiber decreases the absorption of fats in the intestine which is beneficial for regulating the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the body.

Several studies have linked fiber consumption with a lower incidence of colorectal cancer; experts attribute this situation to the release of intermediary metabolites due to the breakdown of the fiber by bacteria residing in the large intestine.

"Our findings provide convincing evidence that consumption of dietary fiber and replacement of refined grains with whole grains reduces the incidence and mortality of a wide range of chronic diseases." Professor Mann commented.

Pushups are big news lately. Harvard Health followed 11,004 firemen over 10 years to see if they could find a way to predict cardiovascular disease risk without expensive lab tests.

They did. It was the lowly pushup.

Pushups turned out to be even better than a standard treadmill stress test as a predictor for the risk of future incidents of CVD.And performing pushups might be a lifesaver.

The firefighters who could snap off 40 pushups at a good pace had much lower rates of CVD incidents during the study.So now, the big question is this: what if you can’t do a pushup? Are you in trouble? Can you reverse that?

First, relax. Even the ability to perform only 11-39 pushups coincided with lower CVD risk. More than that. Also, the study did not determine that doing zero to 11 pushups put anyone at higher risk than the general population. The study didn’t include women, older people, or inactive people, either. Those topics are ones the researchers hope to follow up on because the 10-year study proved so valuable for active men that it may apply to even more people.

It’s unlikely that pushups in themselves were the agent that lowered CVD risk. Rather, the researchers believe they are a reliable surrogate for a type of good conditioning that is associated with a healthier heart.

But whether you are firefighter-fit, older, female, or a current couch potato, well-executed pushups are worth learning to do.

That’s because pushups require a certain kind of whole-body conditioning that has multiple functional benefits. You need a strong core. That translates to better balance and stability and helps you perform most daily actions better. You could build impressive upper-body muscle strength doing a series of down presses, flies, curls, and rows with heavy weights. But the core involvement in doing a pushup right achieves broader benefits. Pushups strengthen the lower back and ab muscles. Keeping the perfect form also requires engagement from the gluteus and major leg muscles.

Technically, a pushup is a “compound” exercise because it engages several large muscle groups at once. This requires your heart to work hard to pump oxygen-rich blood to all those busy muscles.

Now here’s how to achieve pushup perfection, even if you can’t manage to lift off the floor today…

The usual approach of lying on the floor, trying and trying to push yourself upward is worthless. You will probably hurt your back, and you will make so little progress you'll give up.

For many women and out of shape men, the basic upper body strength to get started needs some help. If you can already do one pushup, then you can practice your way to 40 pushups. But if you cannot do even one in correct form, you simply start somewhere else. Essentially you’ll begin withsome pre-pushups

The usual advice for doing this is to begin with a pushup from the knees. Iobject to that. It may work for some people, but it never worked for me. Despite strong hands, back, knees, and legs, I couldn’t perform a real pushup ever. Not even as a teen. No amount of doing pushups from my knees got me a bit closer to the real, plank-style regular pushup.

I believe that was because omitting the lower body was counterproductive. And that is exactly what happens when you do a pushup from the knees, you take the lower body out of the exercise. You perform several knee pushups and think you’re on the way, then you try it from your toes… nothing. At least not for me.

By chance, I came across advice to begin with wall push-aways. Then to gradually step farther and farther back from the wall as you get stronger.

That worked. Each time I did 10 push-aways with ease, I moved back.

Perform these push-aways in standard pushup form. You are vertical and eventually, you will take it horizontal with the exact same motions. Starting this way simply lessens the weight that your arms must control until they get strong enough to support your full body.

As you practice your push-aways and continue stepping back, eventually, you will be too far from the wall to go back any farther. At that point, you switch to pushing up from something like a countertop or sturdy table. Don’t go to the floor yet. You’re working your way down. But do execute your pushup using the standard form.Once you can do 10, move your support lower. Then lower, then lower. You may have to search all over the house for something at the right height. Eventually, you can move down to the floor.

You love them, but you are squirming, looking for polite reasons to leave. You’d never want your favorite older relatives to know that visits to their house can be torture because of the old people smell that seems to be permeating everything, and maybe even your own clothes.

They may be meticulous housekeepers. They may shower daily. But there’s something a little funky going on. Some people describe the odor as greasy, some call it grassy. In stale beer, it’s associated with a cardboard taste. And yes, it is a real thing.

Though if you want to be polite, “old people smell” is not the best way to put it. The correct term is “nonenal.” It’s caused by the chemical 2-nonenal, an unsaturated aldehyde that is associated with the smells of cucumber, orris root, fat… and aging.

The human nose isn’t as sensitive as a dog’s, but it knows more than we usually give it credit for. Including how old other humans are.

At Monell Chemical Sense Center in Philadelphia, a team of researchers gave 41 participants swatches of body odor to smell and evaluate. The smellers ranged from 20 to 30 years old. Samples came from people age 26 to 75. The smellers could immediately identify which samples came from older donors.

The slightly scary thing about nonenal is that none of the old people you know probably have any idea they smell old. Which means, YOU might not know it if it happens to you. In fact, in the Monell experiment, smellers noted the nonenal smell in samples from people at age 40 and up.

The source of the smell is the breakdown of omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids on our skin. Around age 40, the antioxidants that inhibit this process become less efficient. Hormonal changes increase the rate of omega-7s on the skin as well. Menopause is regularly cited as one factor. And while no scientist has yet said that andropause has the same outcome, they have noted that the nonenal smell is strongest in middle-aged men.

The first scientific study of the problem occurred in Japan in 2000. Researchers asked 22 people ranging from age 26 to 75 to shower and put on an odor-collecting shirt before bedtime every night. During the day, each shirt was stored in an airtight container. Participants wore the same shirt for three nights in a row, then numerous chemicals they emitted were analyzed. The one that varied significantly between the young (with none) and the old was 2-nonenal.

Now that you know about this scent, what can you do?

One Japanese company, Mirai, has an answer. It makes soaps, body washes, and body serums that it says will remove the nonenal smell. The miracle ingredients purported to do that are persimmon and green tea. The serum includes astaxanthin.

Remember that your favorite old-smelling people aren’t dirty. They shower and keep a clean home. So can you really wash the nonenal smell away with a special soap? People who have tried it say they believe it works.The products are certainly no more expensive than any premium soap and body wash. Which is to say that a bar of Mirai soap is only about 20 times as expensive as a bar of Ivory, but only half as much as Hermes.

If you’re not up for that, there’s this thought to remember. Researchers who collect nonenal for tests zero in on the nape of the neck, where your body emits the most. So you might want to scrub twice behind the ears.

Unless you are a saint or a
neurotic, you've probably lost a bottle of vitamins for a while. But should you
take them when you find them again and see they've passed their sell-by date?

Saints, of course, always put the
bottle in the same spot and take their vitamins at the same time every day,
every week, every year.... neurotics have an advantage over those of us who are
less perfectly organized, too. They wouldn't miss a dose for fear of what would
happen.

But suppose you got a
buy-one-get-one deal on adult gummies then forget that second bottle when you
put it in the closet behind the Band-Aids? Guilty.

Prevention Magazine did us a
favor and took a look at the issue.

One of the most interesting
things about vitamins is how little-controlled this industry is. It's why the
source is so important. In the US, the FDA does not even require manufacturers
to put sell-by or expiration dates on vitamins as they are sold.

Fortunately for us, responsible
companies choose to put dates on their products.

Generally speaking, vitamins
don't rot, but they do degrade. So taking vitamins that have expired is not
going to hurt you... as long as you got your vitamins from a respectable
company in the first place.

That said, they might not do you
a lot of good.

The first question is where you
mislaid that bottle before you rediscovered it. If it fell under the front seat
of your car, forget it. Even the medicine cabinet is suspect unless the bottle
has been tightly sealed. Good storage for vitamins means a place with low
humidity, low light, and moderate to low temperatures. The humidity and
temperatures—think steamy shower—usually
rule out the bathroom as a good place to keep vitamins.

But if storage was suitable, your
vitamins are probably fine to take for a few weeks past the expiration date.
They won't make you sick.

Whether they will do you a lot of
good depends on what is in them. If that bottle happens to be high-potency
B-complex that you depend on for energy and other health benefits, you are out
of luck. Water soluble vitamins like B-12
and vitamin C expire most rapidly. Fat soluble
ones like Vitamin D have a long shelf life.

The question always is this—why
are you taking vitamins? If they are simply a good health habit that you take
for a little extra insurance you can gum your forgotten gummies. However, there
are reasons to just regret the loss and toss the vitamins.

Prevention didn't take the issue
this far, but if you have certain habits, then you need good, healthy, potent
doses of key vitamins. Don't take expired ones. Here are a few issues to watch:

By the way, wait a couple of
hours after having that glass of wine if you normally take vitamins later in
the day. If you drink more than two glasses of wine, 2 beers, or the equivalent
per day, then throw away old vitamins. You should have the freshest and best.

Caffeine also kills nutrients...
the same ones that alcohol destroys. So keep your vitamins fresh if you're a fiend for coffee.

Antibiotics destroy B3

Aspirin compromises Vitamin C and
K. If you take a prophylactic aspirin you could be diminishing your stores of
these vitamins.

The numbers come from ShareCare, the team of health professionals that has devised the RealAge test.

If you have never taken the RealAge test, we encourage you to do that sometime soon (but read to the end of this first, OK?).

Physical balance has obvious benefits related to the quality of your life, especially as you get older. We may have a good chuckle at the old “help, I've fallen and I can't get up” commercials, but the truth is scary...

Emergency rooms treat about 3 million people a year who fall and hurt themselves. If you fall, the odds are one in five you will injure yourself beyond a simple bruise or skinned knee. And most startling: about 95% of all hip fractures come from falling, not from simple weakened bones as you might expect.

If your test of standing on your leg with your eyes closed was bad news, start improving now. Here are a few tips from Gaiam, the maker of bosu, exercise balls, and yoga mats for gently improving your balance:

Anytime you make the surface underneath you smaller or less stable, you are going to have to use more balance. For example, balancing on one foot gives you a smaller base, and standing on a thick yoga mat can produce a less stable surface. Try these exercises, with or without training aids, to start improving your balance.

•Try standing on one foot and moving your arms around. Once you’ve mastered that, try standing on one foot and bending down to pick something up in front of you (like a book or some keys), all while keeping your balance.

•Traditional lunges and squats are also good ways to test and gain your balance. Focus on keeping your core strong to combat wobble.

•As you continue to work on balance you can up the difficulty by adding arm weights while doing balancing exercises or by doing core exercises on your balance tools.

Adult-onset diabetes
(Type 2) is the health risk constantly in the news, but our awareness doesn't
seem to be helping much.

American Diabetes Assn predicted there would be a 165% growth
in the number of people with diabetes from 2000 to 2050. We're on track to
prove that prediction correct. Even more worrisome, it is estimated that 90% of
the people who are pre-diabetic right now don't know it.

The hot question in the medical field right now is whether
Type 2 diabetes can be cured.

Most doctors say, no. That includes mainstream opinion from
WebMD to the American Diabetes Association.

But other equally respected sources say there's hope and a
cure may be possible.

The Lancet, published in England, is the most respected medical journal in the world. In
December 2017, Lancet published results of the DiRECT study on 306 people in
Scotland and England with Type 2 diabetes. The news was good.

All the patients in the study had been diagnosed with Type 2
diabetes within the past six years. All of them had a body mass index of 27
(decidedly overweight) or higher. The team put half the recruits on a strict
diet and took them off all their oral anti-diabetic and anti-hypertension
medicines at the outset. That was a precaution because sudden calorie
restriction can send blood pressure down too rapidly. If needed, the blood
pressure drugs were reintroduced... but they usually were not needed!

Scientists are shy about making bold statements. At least
until an idea has been proved many times over. That's what makes the DiRECT
conclusion so unusual and so promising. To quote:

“Our findings confirm that type 2 diabetes of up to 6 years' duration is not necessarily a
permanent, lifelong condition. Weight loss sufficient to achieve remission can
be attained in many individuals by use of an evidence-based structured weight
management programme delivered in a non-specialty community setting by routine
primary care staff”.... almost half had remission of diabetes, off diabetic medicine.

In short, losing enough weight can put type 2 diabetes into
remission. Caught early enough, that could amount to a cure.

To make the proof even more convincing, the DiRECT results
were highly consistent from person to person. There was a clear, systematic
relationship between how much weight patients lost and how well they did. For
patients who met the goal of losing 15 kg (33 pounds), 86% saw their diabetes
go into remission. Not one of the patients in the study who gained weight saw
their diabetes improve.

That makes losing weight the first thing you should consider
if you are pre-diabetic or have type 2 diabetes already.It also has the beauty of being one of the
safest things you could try. But coordinate
with your doctor before and during your mission to be sure your medications are
correct and all is well.

The DiRECT finding is
consistent with more drastic means of weight loss, such as bariatric surgery,
that has helped some patients manage
their diabetes.

Cleveland Clinic is doing substantial work in that area. It
has said that for some patients with more recent and milder symptoms, gastric
bypass surgery has even led to “complete resolution of diabetes mellitus.”
Overall, in a study on 80,000 patients who had a gastric bypass, 84% “experienced
a complete reversal of their type 2 diabetes.”

There's also the possibility of zapping diabetes into
submission.

GE and DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Project Agency) are
now conducting a $2.9 million study on neuromodulation for type 2 diabetes.
Essentially the idea is that electrical
stimulation of the right nerves might accomplish the same things as drugs—without the side effects and with much
greater precision. Neuromodulation is often used for pain management, so this
treatment is an expansion on a practice
with considerable success behind it.

A fourth avenue that might pay off is stem cell therapy. This
is still in very early exploration. So far, studies using stem cells haven't
been helpful for type 2 diabetes, but there are hints that experiments using
pancreatic stem cells to treat type 1 diabetes may work. And if that approach
works, it may help type 2 patients as well.

Meanwhile, if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, the
information we have today says that diet is your first line of defense. And the
sooner you shed pounds the better.

Second, if you are thinking about bariatric surgery, you
should know that it is no longer a rare or extreme measure, and it has been
extremely successful. Bariatric surgery is now considered to be safer than
gall-bladder removal or a hip replacement. The risks are certainly lower than
living with active diabetes. Type 2 diabetics who have a gastric bypass may get
positive results within hours to days after surgery, including ditching
insulin.

Until DARPA can zap
you into good health our options are limited, but they're good.

Everyone with a history of deep vein thrombosis knows the plane drill. Flying is hard on people who are at risk of getting blood clots in their legs.

And we now have real-world proof that sleeping in cars is a bad idea, too. For all of us.

In April 2017, after the Kumamoto earthquake, thousands of Japanese were afraid to return to their homes because a large number of aftershocks were still rumbling through the area. Shelters were crowded, so many people opted to sleep in their cars.

That was the beginning of KEEP—the Kumamoto Earthquake Thrombosis and Embolism Protection project.

The project came about because, after the Kumamoto earthquake, an unusually high number of people developed clots in their legs. For some, the clots broke loose and went to their lungs as venous thromboembolism (VTE).

The KEEP team found 51 patients who were admitted to hospitals for troublesome clots and asked them what they had done in the days beforehand. An astounding 42 patients (82%) in the group had spent a night in their car.

More surprising, and definitely more worrisome, 35 of these people developed a VTE.

What is most compelling about this is the clear link between inactivity and VTEs. Nine of the people in the study who showed up at Kumamoto area hospitals reported that they had not slept in their cars. Three of them (33%) developed VTEs.

But among the 42 people who did report they had slept in their cars, 35 of them (83%) developed VTEs.

This is not to say that sleeping in cars will definitely lead to clots in your legs or a VTE. But if you have a risk factor, you should be concerned. Ditto flying.

"This is a dramatic example of the risks inherent in spending prolonged periods immobilized in a cramped position," commented Stanley Nattel, MD, Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Cardiology, which published the results.

We'd all prefer to avoid earthquakes, floods, hurricanes and natural disasters, of course. But sometimes the only way to get where we want to go in a reasonable amount of time is to fly.

We looked at recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control in the US and the National Health Service in Britain. It turns out that a lot of us should be aware of the risk of blood clots when we are forced to stay fairly inactive and cooped up in a small space.

Here's what doctors say:

You might be at risk even if you've never had a clot before. You are at higher risk if you smoke, have cancer, have had recent surgery in the pelvic area or legs, have varicose veins, are obese, or have any history of heart disease.

For women, being pregnant, using hormone replacement therapy, and using estrogen-containing birth control also increase your risk.

To lower your risk of a clot, this is what the doctors advise:

Dress comfortably in loose clothing (there will be an additional reason for this). Avoid alcohol or sleeping pills (yeah, we know), and drink plenty of water.

Also, consider compression stockings if your legs tend to swell or feel extra tired after inactivity and travel. NHS recommends a 14-17 mmHg pressure at the ankle. That's a low to moderate amount of compression. NHS also notes that these stockings need to be measured and fitted correctly or you could increase your risk of a deep vein thrombosis.

Your second line of defense is on the plane. Or in the car, if you really must sleep there.

When possible, stand for a while once per hour, walk around a bit if you can. On a plane, an aisle seat is best if you can snag one. But no matter what, do some leg exercises. The simplest one is ankle circles. Also, stretch your legs and flex your ankles (pull them toward you).

The reason for comfy clothes, and pants, in particular, is that you might want to do this one more exercise sometimes recommended by the airlines. Grab one knee with both hands and pull it up toward your chest. Hold for a count of 15. Repeat 10 times. Then do the other leg.

Probably not this year. We can still hope this season, which
won't peak until January or February, will be kinder than last year.

But a pandemic is coming. Syra Madad, who heads the Special
Pathogens Program at NYC Health + Hospitals told the Wall Street Journal “It
is not a matter of if it will happen, it is a matter of when it
will happen.”

If you have already had your flu shot, smart move.

That may not prevent flu germs from finding you, but it does
reduce your chances of succumbing. Flu shots slash the likelihood of getting
the bug by 40% to 70%. It varies by year, depending on which flu strains are
flying around. Last year was a nasty one, the vaccine only reduced the odds by
40%.

There's another factor to consider, though. Flu shots also
have a well-established record of keeping
sick patients from getting deathly ill. Repeat that thought. Even if you get
the flu, you are likely to be less sick and recover sooner if you had a flu
shot.

Last year's flu shot cut the risk of being hospitalized with
flu by 71% overall. For people over age 50, it was even better—cutting their
hospitalization risk by 77%.

Apart from that, there are some interesting ideas on how to
evade a flu attack.

Clorox, of course, recommends lots of bleach. Most of us
prefer to swab our hands with a gentle dab ofPurell, however. Ladies are advised to put away cloth purses and opt for
materials that can be wiped down after an outing in the germ-ridden public. And
everyone who bites his or her nails—quit it!

Oatmeal brings beta glucan, zinc, and selenium to the task,
according to some sources. They all serve to support healthy immune systems.

Sneezing into your elbow instead of your hand, however, won't
do much to help you. It's a kindness to others because you don't touch
everything from door handles to credit card swipe machines with your elbows.
You touch them with your germy hands... and get whatever germs the people
before you left behind.

Even that is questionable comfort, though. ABC News tested
coughing styles and found that the “Dracula move” coughing into your elbow
still sent sneeze particles 8.5 feet away. Coughing into hands only sent
particles 3.5 feet afield. The best technique by far was coughing into a paper
tissue (Kleenex to most of us). Nothing spread through the air.

Then wash your hands and throw the tissue away, of course.

Speaking of Dracula, garlic is supposed to ward off flu as
well as vampires.

The best course of action, though, is to maintain the best
health you can every day. Drink plenty of water, always. Eat well. Take the
right vitamins and supplements. Exercise. Laugh. Hang out with friends. All
these positive habits are immune-system friendly.

Music soothes not only the savage beast, but the heart and soul of you and you and you! Maybe that's why so many musicians, from DeeDee Bridgewater ("Dear Ella") to Dee Snider ("I Wanna Rock") and Dee Clark ("Raindrops"), can make you feel so good.

Turns out that the Dee -- vitamin D, that is -- has more power to protect your happiness, heart and lungs than was previously known.

A study in the European Journal of Preventive Cardiology found that people with D levels in the top 25 percent had a 4.3-fold greater amount of cardiorespiratory fitness than those in the bottom 25 percent! That's because vitamin D helps provide muscles with more oxygen and that gives you more power, whether you're walking, biking or dancing.

Here's how to make sure you get enough D:

From supplements: Adults under age 65 should aim for 600-800 IU of D daily to avoid deficiency, but children 9 years and older, pregnant and lactating women and older adults can take as much as 4,000 IU. Our advice: Generally, you can take 1,500 to 2,000 IU of D-2 or D-3 daily. Best bet? Get a blood test and then take supplements to attain a blood level of 50-80 ng/dL.

From food: Fatty fish, such as salmon and ocean trout, mushrooms and foods fortified with vitamin D are good sources.

Au natural: There's no benefit from sun exposure from October 15 to April 15, north of the line between Los Angeles and Atlanta -- you're not making D-2; sun exposure in winter only fosters skin cancer.

"Kaizen" is a Japanese word that means "improvement" or "good change" and it's also the name of a philosophy that's focused on making small changes that boost performance from top to bottom in business (Toyota follows it) and in your personal well-being.

But can kaizen apply to brain health too?

Well, researchers at the University of California and the University of Tsukuba in Japan wanted to see if they could measure immediate improvements in the brain from small, positive steps. In their study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, they had 36 young, healthy adults do 10 minutes of yoga or tai chi. Afterward, the participants had a brain MRI scan.

That small amount of physical activity created measurable changes in that part of the brain involved in laying down memories (the hippocampus) and in another that handles detailed memory processing. A memory recall test also found that participants had improved memory performance.

That's good news if you're one of the 77 percent of American adults who don't meet minimum guidelines for aerobic and strength-building activities. It shows that you can build up your activity level by making one good -- small -- change at a time and still reap immediate improvements in your brain health, as well as upping your chances of getting a good night's sleep and managing stress.

Start with 10 minutes of yoga or walking daily. You'll become sharper, smarter and a whole lot less stiff! Then set your sights on increasing the time to 30 to 60 minutes a day, one step at a time.

Baking soda is very safe, but you should not exceed 200-300 mg per kilo of weight (diluted in one liter of water). Avoid taking it right after eating, as it interferes with digestion.
The body's response to high-intensity exercise remains an issue that causes concern in the scientific community, as well as among coaches and athletes. Physical activity of high intensity can be maintained for short periods of time due to muscle fatigue of the muscles involved in the exercise, which generates dysfunctions and discomfort that culminate with stopping the exercise.

The mechanisms that produce muscle fatigue after a series of exercises are poorly known and can be caused by a decrease in nerve conduction, a failure in the excitation-contraction sites or certain metabolic alterations such as the decrease in intramuscular phosphocreatine (PC). Or the increase in lactate and the decrease in pH (acidosis).

Muscle fatigue is manifested by a decrease in the ability to generate a powerful muscle contraction and is caused, in part, by a decrease in intramuscular pH, as well as by a series of disturbances in the electrolytes of muscle cells.

After performing high-intensity exercise is common the appearance of discomfort or muscle pain that in some cases can be severe. This muscle pain is known as ¨Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness¨ (DOMS), usually occurs eight hours after the completion of the exercise, with a peak of painful intensity between 24 hours and 48 hours after having completed the physical activity, this pain can extend from 7 to 10 days.

One of the main theories that explain the cause of DOMS suggests that the accumulation of lactic acid in muscle fibers resulting from intense physical exercise causes the necrosis or rupture of muscle fibers. Also, lactic acid decreases the contractile capacity of the muscles.

Intense muscular contraction is accompanied by an increase in the water content of the muscle distributed in the intracellular and extracellular spaces. This influx of water can modify the concentration of ions in both compartments. The result of these changes in the intracellular ion concentration motivated by intense physical exercise, causes an increase in the concentration of intracellular hydrogen ions, producing acidosis (decrease in ph). This acidosis influences muscle fatigue, affecting contractile function, calcium regulation, and muscle metabolism. On the other hand, because the metabolic demands of high-intensity exercise are predominantly covered by the anaerobic degradation of glucose, this process produces lactic acid, resulting in the consequent lowering of the pH of the muscles that are exercised. Muscular fatigue and DOMS are associated with a rapid increase in the production of metabolic acids. Tolerance to high-intensity exercise may be limited by the body's ability to buffer the decrease in intracellular (muscle) and extracellular (blood) pH. In short, maximum efforts produce an acid-base imbalance in the body. This imbalance is compensated by an intrinsic buffer system.

Buffer System

The acidity or alkalinity of a solution depends on the concentration of hydrogen ions (H +). If the concentration of hydrogen ions is increased, the solution becomes more acidic; if the concentration is decreased, it becomes more alkaline. The amount of ionized hydrogen (H +) in a solution is indicated by the pH (the lower the ph, the greater the amount of ionized hydrogen). A solution with a pH of 7 is neutral; an acid solution has a pH value of less than 7 and an alkaline solution has a pH value of greater than 7.
In humans, extracellular fluid is usually mildly alkaline, with a pH of 7.35 to 7.45. If the pH rises more than this, there is a state of alkalosis; if the pH falls below this value, there is a state of acidosis.
The body's normal metabolism continuously produces acid radicals. This production increases during the exercises of maximum intensity. There are defense mechanisms that prevent changes in the pH of body fluids, this function is carried out by the body's buffer systems, in addition to respiratory regulation and elimination of H + through urine.

Baking Soda

By ingesting baking soda, an alkaline solution is created that helps cushion the level of acidity in the blood and muscles. As a result, lactic acid is extracted from the muscle cells, causing the pH of the muscles and blood to return to equilibrium. Also, taking baking soda before and during physical activity can help decrease the buildup of lactic acid and increase blood flow to the muscles.
The baking soda is very safe, but you should not exceed the dose. Taking large amounts could produce unpleasant side effects. The appropriate dose is 200-300 mg per kilo of weight (diluted in one liter of water). Avoid taking it right after eating, as it interferes with digestion.

Betty White turned 96 this year and claims that her long-term good health is the result of hot dogs and vodka, not necessarily in that order!

Well, some people's genes are programmed to defy the odds (never worth betting on) -- either that or Betty's just a great comic who's not afraid of a politically incorrect joke (that's the smart bet)!

You may have a sense of humor, too, but although laughter is good for the heart, soul and brain, it's essential to make healthful choices if you want to forge a reliably healthy, longer life and a younger RealAge. Smart nutrition is essential (no nitrate- and nitrite-packed processed meats like hot dogs). But to really live well longer, you have to stir in a healthy exercise routine.

Case in point: A new study from the University of Buffalo in New York has found that walking, the most common form of physical activity in older women (no surprise), is especially heart-loving. And, say the researchers, more is better: "Higher levels of recreational physical activity, including walking, are associated with significantly reduced heart failure risk ..."

So if your days of 5K runs are behind you, don't fret. You (and this goes for guys, too!) can still get exercise's heart-healthy benefits with 10,000 steps three or four times weekly -- or aim for whatever you can do. Betty's routine: "I have a two-story house and a very bad memory, so I'm up and down those stairs." In short, establish an exercise routine you can stick with, but do skip the well-marinated hot dogs!

With the growth of the population, changes in lifestyle, obesity, and other risk factors, diseases such as diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) and cardiovascular events have increased in parallel; both entities can occur independently or interrelated. DM2 is considered a public health problem, given its high prevalence and its accelerated increase in the last 20 years. The World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that this increase can be up to 160% in the next 25 years. The support of epidemiological studies and the knowledge that it is possible to identify DM2 in an asymptomatic stage has allowed the development of early detection strategies with economic, simple, and sensitive diagnostic procedures, allowing timely prevention measures.

Prediabetes is a condition that precedes the diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and is characterized by an elevation in the concentration of sugar (glucose) in blood beyond normal levels without reaching the diagnostic values of diabetes. It is identified by evidencing alterations in the oral glucose tolerance test (140-199 mg/dl) and the change in fasting blood glucose values (100-125 mg/dl).

The evolution of prediabetes to type 2 diabetes can be avoided. Consuming healthy foods, incorporating physical activity into your daily routine, and maintaining a healthy weight can help you regulate your blood sugar level.

Symptoms of prediabetes

Prediabetes is a condition that often goes unnoticed because it usually does not present evident symptoms. However, the main symptoms in people with prediabetes are found below.

Blurred vision: Sudden rises and falls in blood sugar levels (common in people with pre-diabetes) can affect the ability of the eye to focus, which results in blurred vision. Once the sugar levels are regulated, this symptom should disappear.

Excessive thirst: When there is excess sugar in the blood, the body eliminates it through urine, which prompts the need to go to the bathroom more than usual. That, in turn, causes dehydration which produces excessive thirst.

Wounds or infections that take a long time to heal: High levels of blood sugar slow down circulation, so the skin needs more time to heal itself. Therefore, small bruises and cuts take longer than normal to heal. Pre-diabetes can also promote the growth of bacteria and fungi, which lead to recurrent infections in the skin, vagina and or urinary tract.

Skin areas darken: Some people with prediabetes may show signs of insulin resistance. High insulin accelerates the speed of reproduction of skin cells, resulting in pigmentary acanthosis. This happens when the skin of the neck, under the arm, or in the folds of the elbows begins to darken.

Unexplained weight gain or loss: When the body cannot get the energy it needs from blood glucose, it starts burning other things for energy which can cause sudden weight loss even if you do not diet or exercise. However, insulin resistance can also make the patient hungry and gain weight.

Treatment

Several clinical trials have been published regarding the treatment of prediabetes to investigate the effectiveness of these treatments in delaying or abrogating the progression of prediabetes to diabetes. In general, the studies provide optimistic data and establish that: 1) lifestyle changes are highly effective in slowing the progression of prediabetes to diabetes, and 2) pharmacological agents that increase insulin sensitivity (metformin, glitazones) or prevent the absorption of carbohydrates (Acarbose) also confer a delay effect in the progression of prediabetes to diabetes.

In a simplified form, the treatment of individuals with prediabetes primarily includes the change in lifestyle, with the goal of weight loss and increasing daily physical exercise. If these measures do not have the desired effect in a reasonable time, then medication treatment should be supplemented. This treatment scheme is fluid, especially taking into account the recent data obtained in the treatment with pioglitazone, where there is evidence of an 82% decrease in the incidence of diabetes in individuals treated with this drug.

How do the French eat more fat, sugar and rich foods, plus drink more wine, but still have less heart health issues? The answer to this puzzling question, commonly known as the “french paradox,” is believed to be due to a higher intake of a specific phytonutrient called resveratrol, found naturally in “superfoods” like red wine. Like other antioxidants and phytonutrients, such as lycopene found in tomatoes or lutein found in carrots, resveratrol is a powerful compound that regenerates the body all the way at the cellular level.

Research published over the past several decades in many medical journals, including the European Journal of Food Pharmacology and American Journal of Hypertension, found that resveratrol (in this case from red wine) decreases the risk of heart disease among other common health concerns. Although he might not have known exactly how wine was able to promote better health, even Plato promoted the health perks of drinking it in moderation. He’s been quoted as saying, “Nothing more excellent or valuable than wine was ever granted by the gods to man.” (1)

In case you’re wondering, you don’t have to be a wine drinker to benefit from resveratrol. Other sources include deeply- olored berries and real dark chocolate/cocoa. Along with helping to keep arteries clear from plaque buildup and protecting an aging heart, this phytonutrient has many other health benefits too — including reducing inflammation, potentially helping to prevent obesity and protecting cognitive health among the elderly.

What Is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is a polyphenic bioflavonoid antioxidant that’s produced by certain plants and found in foods and drinks that are known to halt the effects of aging. Resveratrol is classified as a phytoestrogen because of its ability to interact with estrogen receptors in a positive way. Plants that produce resveratrol and other types of antioxidants actually do so partly as a protective mechanism and response to stressors within their environments, including radiation, the presence of insects or other predators, injury, and fungal infections. Today, resveratrol is believed to be one of the most potent polyphenols and strongest protectors against symptoms associated with aging and free radical damage.

Studies show that the most naturally abundant sources of resveratrol (not to mention many other protective phytonutrients, vitamins and minerals) are plants, including the skin of red grapes, red wine, raw cocoa, and dark berries, such as lingonberries, blueberries, mulberries and bilberries. Red wine is probably the best known source, mostly due to its high levels thanks to the fermentation process that turns grape juice to alcohol. During production of red wine, grape seeds and skins ferment in the grape’s juices, which have positive effects on levels and availability of resveratrol.

The benefits of resveratrol were first discovered when researchers found that yeast and other microbes, insects and animals fed resveratrol experienced an increased life span as a result. Various studies continued to confirm its amazing anti-aging benefits, demonstrated in studies conducted on fruit flies, fish, mice and nematode worms, all of which lived longer compared to control groups that were not treated with this phytonutrient.

5 Resveratrol Benefits

1. Has Anti-Aging and Anti-Cancer Effects

Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals produced during everyday bodily functions, such as eating and exercise. Free radical damage is accelerated due to poor lifestyle habits like smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, and in response to environmental pollution and toxicity. If left unchecked, free radicals can damage cells and are thought to be a cause of life-threatening diseases and earlier death. Consuming plant foods high in antioxidants and phytonutrients has been shown to offer antioxidative, anticarcinogenic and antitumor benefits that protect adults from many age-related diseases. (2)

According to research published by the Department of Pharmacology at the University of Seville in Spain, “One of the most striking biological activities of resveratrol soundly investigated during the late years has been its cancer-chemopreventive potential. In fact, recently it has been demonstrated that it blocks the multistep process of carcinogenesis at various stages: tumor initiation, promotion, and progression.”

It’s believed the mechanisms for its cancer-protecting activities involves downregulation of the inflammatory response through inhibition of synthesis and release of pro-inflammatory mediators, among other activities. (3)

2. Protects Cardiovascular Health

Because of its anti-inflammatory activity, resveratrol has been shown to offer protection against atherosclerosis (thickening of the arteries that cuts off blood flow), high LDL “bad cholesterol,” formation of blood clots and myocardial infraction. Consuming more has also been shown to help improve circulation and have beneficial effects on glucose and lipid metabolism in some with higher risk for metabolic syndrome. (4)

Itadori tea, one significant source of resveratrol, has long been used in Asian countries, including Japan and China, as a traditional herbal remedy for preventing heart disease and strokes.

3. Helps Protect the Brain and Cognitive/Mental Health

Resveratrol is particularly unique as its antioxidants can cross the blood-brain barrier to protect the brain and the nervous system, unlike other antioxidants. Recent studies done by researchers at the Nutrition Research Center at Northunbria University in the U.K. showed that resveratrol noticeably increased blood flow to the brain, suggesting a considerable benefit to healthy brain function and neuroprotective effects.

This means consuming more can increase protection against cognitive/mental problems, including Alzheimer’s, dementia and others. Other study findings, such as results published in the Journal of Agricultural Food Chemistry, demonstrated that even a single infusion of resveratrol could elicit neuroprotective effects on cerebral (brain) neuronal loss and damage. (5) This resulted from increased free radical scavenging and cerebral blood elevation due to resveratrol’s effects.

4. May Help Prevent Obesity

Findings from animal studies have found that resveratrol exerts beneficial effects on rodents fed a high-calorie diet, helping prevent fat storage and regulating insulin levels. (6) Others research has shown that resveratrol may help reduce body weight and adiposity in obese animals, which some experts believe is due to activating the SIRT1 gene that’s believed to protect the body against the effects of obesity.

It’s not totally clear how this translates to humans consuming foods or drinks like wine and berries, but studies have found links between adults eating balanced diets that include moderate amounts of wine and healthier body weights.

5. Benefits Those with Diabetes or Prediabetes

Animal studies involving diabetic rats have demonstrated that resveratrol may be able to reduce hyperglycemia and may also possibility be of use in preventing and/or treating both obesity and diabetes. Resveratrol may be helpful for those with diabetes and prediabetes by reducing complications (like nerve damage and damage to the heart) and helping manage insulin levels. It’s known that this phytoestrogen positively affects insulin secretion and blood insulin concentrations, according to animal studies. (7)

What Is Resveratrol Used For?

As you can tell from all the benefits described above, resveratrol and sources that provide it, including red wine, are more than just powerful heart-protectors. They’re also strong brain-boosters, among many other things. People use resveratrol for all sorts of anti-aging benefits, considering research suggests that it can help:

• Preventing premature signs or symptoms associated with aging, including inflammation that leads to arterial damage and joint deterioration

• Supporting a healthy digestive system and improving elimination of waste or toxic compounds

• Improve energy and endurance

• Some research has even found that it helps protect against the effects of radiation, which we’re all exposed to in at least small amounts whether we realize it or not

Should You Take Resveratrol Supplements?

Because the FDA does not regulate supplements, many health authorities are not convinced that taking resveratrol supplements or extract will have much payoff. As with all herbs and extracts, you can’t be sure exactly what you’re getting and how effective the product may be.

Dosage recommendations vary depending on your current health and symptoms, but most resveratrol supplements are typically taken in about 250 to 500 milligrams/day dosages. It’s important to point out that this is generally lower than the amounts that have been shown to be beneficial in studies, but it’s not clear if taking very high doses is safe. Some adults choose to consume up to two grams daily (2,000 milligrams). (8) According to the New York Academy of Sciences, studies have found resveratrol to be safe and reasonably well-tolerated at doses of up to five grams per day, but this shouldn’t be taken without speaking with your doctor. (9)

It’s possible, however, to experience mild to moderate side effects at higher doses, so experts recommend starting with less until further studies demonstrate any added benefit of taking more. Resveratrol supplements may potentially interact with blood thinners like warfarin (Coumadin) and NSAID pain relievers (like aspirin or Advil), so be sure not to mix these.

How Resveratrol Works

Resveratrol works by modifying inflammation in the body, in addition to having other positive effects on hormone production, blood circulation and fat storage. Studies demonstrate that it specifically seems to work in some of the following ways: (10)

• It limits the body’s ability to produce sphingosine kinase and phospholipase D, two molecules known to trigger inflammation. Studies have demonstrated resveratrol’s ability to suppresses the expression and activity of cyclooxygenase enzymes tied to inflammatory responses that damage tissue throughout the body. Although the body naturally produces inflammation as a means of healing and protecting itself, such as to counter bacteria and viruses as part of the immune system, a state of chronic or constant inflammation is not a healthy state to be in. It ages the body and increases risk for almost every disease.

• Resveratrol has been found to lower insulin levels, which is key to staying young, at a healthy weight and fighting diseases like diabetes. In trials, Sirtris Pharmaceuticals found that those with diabetes who took resveratrol had lower glucose and insulin levels, making it a powerful aid to a healthy lifestyle. It also has positive effects on brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) that’s involved in the pathogenesis of obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Researchers have observed that BDNF levels are lower in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus and other insulin-related problems.

• It facilitates mitochondrial respiration and gluconeogenesis. In other words, it helps the “powerhouse” part of cells (the mitochondria) that supplies cells with energy to work optimally.

• Resveratrol keeps circulation flowing smoothly, preventing arterial damage and offering protection in the brain from memory loss and conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. It may also prevent other disorders, such as stroke, ischemia and Huntington’s disease, in addition to mental health problems like depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and autism.

• Because it controls release of pro-inflammatory molecules, resveratrol thus has benefits for preventing autoimmune diseases. It also seems to positively alter gut microbiota and influences stem cell proliferation and differentiation.

• Finally, as a potent antioxidant, resveratrol is constantly fighting damage from free radicals that can increase cancer risk. It deeply penetrates the nucleus and mitochondria of each cell, helping repair harmful effects due to free radical damage that can alter DNA. It also modulates apoptosis (destruction of harmful cells) and therefore seems to have anti-cancer properties. Studies have found evidence of resveratrol triggering apoptosis of activated T cells and suppressing growth of tumors, in addition to acting against cancer.

Best Sources of Resveratrol

Now you know the benefits of resveratrol in your diet, you may be wondering what the best source of this compound is. Below are the best foods and beverages to add to your diet (albeit in moderation) in order to consume more resveratrol:

• Red grapes and red wine. In case you’re wondering, white wine has some too but much lower amounts since the grapes’ skins are removed earlier in the wine-making process.

• Certain types of traditional teas, including Itadori tea, common in Asian countries

• Raw cocoa (dark chocolate)

• Lingonberries

• Blueberries

• Mulberries

• Bilberries

• Cranberries

• Pistachios

• Although I don’t generally don’t recommend eating them often, peanuts and soy are other resveratrol sources.

Different plants supply various forms of resveratrol. For example grapes, peanuts and Itadori tea contain mainly trans-resveratrol glucosides. Red wine is primarily a source of the aglycones cis- and trans-resveratrol. Studies show that both Itadori tea and red wine supply relatively high concentrations of resveratrol compared to most other foods. Itadori tea is a good option for people who avoid drinking alcohol or for children.

Precautions/Side Effects Associated with Resveratrol

Although we have mentioned that red wine and cocoa are two of the best sources of resveratrol, unfortunately a diet of dark chocolate and red wine may be decadent but ultimately very unhealthy if you overdo it. The best way to obtain the benefits of resveratrol is through balance and moderation. I recommend consuming wine in small amounts, about one glass per day or less; according to most research, up to two glasses daily for men and one per day for women hasn’t been shown to cause any health concerns. If you do choose to take resveratrol supplements, still aim to consume antioxidants naturally from a healthy diet, including a variety of fresh plant foods.

While a large body of evidence has already suggested that resveratrol has many benefits, many experts feel that before we can promote drinking more wine or taking supplements to all adults, additional research is still needed. Overall there’s support for its positive attributes, but data is still needed to confirm its effectiveness for prevention of actual diseases in humans. It’s still not completely known how different people react to resveratrol and if some benefit more than others. For example, people with existing cases of diabetes or metabolic defects may need to take higher doses than mostly healthy adults to get the same effects. Talk to your doctor if you plan on taking supplements and are already on other medications.

Overall, most of the benefits of resveratrol have been shown in animal studies and at high dosages. Harvard School of Public Health points out, “The dose of resveratrol administered in experiments is always much higher than you’d normally consume in a daily diet. You would need to drink a hundred to a thousand glasses of red wine to equal the doses that improve health in mice.” (11)

That being said, resveratrol is not a cure-all and means to living a longer, disease-free life. It may be one piece of the puzzle, but the bottom line is that it probably shouldn’t motivate you to drink more wine than you already are.

Article originally from Dr Axe Food is Medicine - https://draxe.com/all-about-resveratrol/

We've alerted you to this in previous issues, but in light of new research it should be said again...

Think twice before you reach for that over-the-counter pain pill.

In a study presented at the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism, researchers found that those taking ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) had an increased risk of heart attack.

NSAIDs are typically used to relieve pain and to reduce signs of inflammation, such as fever, swelling and redness. They are also prescribed for the treatment of patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Here is what is particularly troubling about the research. Data from the study point to an immediate mortality risk in patients who suffered a heart attack -- even after taking NSAIDs for less than one week.

The results from the study also showed that NSAIDs, which include ibuprofen (Advil) and diclofenac (Voltaren) are "equally hazardous" in terms of heart attack risk as the drug Vioxx. You may recall that Vioxx was pulled from the market because of safety concerns over heart attack and stroke risks.(1)
People suffering from arthritis often take NSAIDs for relief from pain, without realizing these drugs can actually kill you. Alternatively, some doctors say that aspirin is a safer choice because it tends to have fewer side effects. That being said, aspirin can cause stomach bleeding.

As a matter of precaution, neither aspirin nor other NSAIDs should be taken in high doses on a daily basis for pain relief.

NSAIDs Are Not Good Medicine

Until now, while the side effect dangers of NSAIDs have been clearly documented, little has been known about treatment duration and the associated cardiovascular risks.

Dr Carl Orr, Department of Medicine, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland commented about the data saying, "These data demonstrate an immediate increase in the risk of death and MI (myocardial infarction), challenging the safety of even short term use. The introduction of physician guidelines to assist safe prescribing of this class of drug is vital, and the only way to keep patient safety at the forefront of disease management."(2)

In other words, doctors need to have guidelines in place to insure they don't place your health or life at risk if they prescribe NSAID-type drugs.

This study found that for every 1,000 individuals with a moderate risk of heart disease who were prescribed to a one year, high-dose treatment of diclofenac or ibuprofen, about three would experience an avoidable heart attack of which one would be fatal.

What's more, all NSAIDs were found to 1) double the risk of heart failure and 2) increase the risk of serious upper gastrointestinal complications such as bleeding ulcers by 2-4 times.(3)

Dr. Chauncy Crandall, who heads up the cardiac transplant program at the Palm Beach Cardiovascular Clinic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, says that "people with arthritis and other chronic pain conditions should use non-drug methods for relief whenever possible, taking drugs only when absolutely necessary." (ibid, 1)

That's where Isoprex comes in. Isoprex helps relieve joint pain without any side effects. It is an all natural supplement that contains powerful ingredients scientifically proven to help relieve joint pain... without any side effects.

The ingredients in Isoprex have all been shown to be safe – and many of them work as well or better than dangerous over-the-counter and prescription pain pills. Keep a bottle in your medicine cabinet at all times.

The cold and flu season typically runs from October through April often seeing its peak in February. The following information can help you get through these months without getting sick.

The scary statistics

• Up to 20% of the US gets the flu each year*
• As many as 23,000 people die each year from flu and pneumonia related illnesses each year in the US*
• 90% of deaths caused by flu and pneumonia related illnesses in the US are people over the age of 65*
• Worldwide, there are 3-5 million severe cases each year and 250,000-500,000 deaths caused by influenza*
What is the difference between a bad cold and the flu?

Cold symptoms may include coughing, sneezing, runny nose and congestion. Influenza symptoms include cough, sore throat, fever/chills, fatigue, stuffy nose, body aches and headache.
The flu lasts longer, is much more debilitating and could have serious affects to ongoing health than a cold.

Who is most susceptible?

While everyone is at risk of catching a cold or flu, the most susceptible are people with asthma, diabetes, heart disease and those who have had a stroke; people who have cancer, HIV or AIDS; pregnant women; adults age 65 and older; children younger than 5, but especially those younger than 2 years old.

8 ways to avoid the flu

1. Wash your hands after meeting people, using the bathroom and touching door knobs.
2. Also, wash your hands after touching elevator buttons; door knobs (especially the ones that lead in and out of restrooms); escalator railings; plane, train and bus seats; pens at work, the bank or grocery store; exercise machines at the gym.
3. Meditate to reduce stress levels and inflammation
4. Exercise regularly
5. Stay 6-10 feet away from people who are sick
6. Get at least 7 hours sleep each night
7. Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
8. Drink plenty of fluids even if you are not sick

It is generally well known that emotional and mental stress is not good for your health. Family and work challenges, financial stress and other life challenges can take a serious toll.

But there is another type of stress that is just as much a silent killer, and it's one that is relatively unknown. It's called oxidative stress.

It's somewhat of a paradox. We can't live without oxygen and yet it is also inherently dangerous to our existence. Left unchecked, oxidative stress can lead to all kinds of health problems including hardening of your arteries, stiffening of your joints, wrinkling of your skin and age spots, to name a few.

It can get worse, much worse, as oxidative stress is becoming increasingly recognized as a major contributing factor to over 200 diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, depression, diabetes, fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Think about what happens when you peel an apple and leave it out in the open for a half hour or so. It gets exposed to oxygen and turns brown. The same thing happens over time to the sheet metal on your car or the piping in your home... and the same process is happening inside your body.

In simple terms, oxygen is essential for life. Your body generates energy by combining oxygen with the food you eat. This internal combustion activity has a by-product, however, which is the creation of damaging and potentially life-threatening free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage your cells and over time, create disease in your body and accelerate the aging process.

If your body is unable to stop the spiraling free radical chain reaction (one molecule steals an electron from another molecule, which causes that imbalanced molecule to steal an electron from another molecule, causing that newly imbalanced molecule to steal an electron, etc.) oxidative stress results.

Stopping Dangerous Free Radicals in Their Tracks

Oxidative stress has the potential to overpower your body's protective systems and cause chronic degenerative diseases, some of which are mentioned above.

It becomes a vicious cycle. Oxidative stress damages cellular proteins, membranes and genes and leads to systemic inflammation. When the damaged proteins, fats, cells, and DNA structures are not properly repaired, they can create further problems in cell function. At the worse end of the spectrum, that could be cancer.

Some free radicals are created internally and some you ingest from air pollution, food additives, cigarette smoke, and high-fat diets. It's difficult in this day and age to not be exposed to them.

Now when your body is healthy, it produces antioxidant enzymes such as SOD, catalase, and glutathione as a defense against the toxic effects of free radicals. As you grow older, however, the production of these antioxidants decreases. Consequently, your body ends up fighting a losing battle.

To fight aging and protect your cells and your health, you’ve got to neutralize as many free radicals as possible. One of the best ways to do this is by taking a supplement like Oraescin.

Bioflavonoids and antioxidants have been shown in studies to combat and suppress the generation of free radicals which cause oxidative stress and which promote inflammation.
Oraescin is a breakthrough formula, used in Europe for decades, that works to strengthen vein walls and circulation by stopping dangerous free radicals in their tracks. It helps prevent oxidative stress and the damage it can cause.

Forty million Americans suffer from sleep problems, and 29% report averaging less than six hours of sleep a night. 70 million say they suffer from insomnia, while loss of productivity resulting from sleep issues costs U.S. employers $18 million per year.

New research shows that not getting enough sleep may have more serious consequences than missing a day or two of work.

In a study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association, researchers at the University of Chicago found that too little sleep can promote calcium and plaque buildup in the heart arteries. This buildup can ultimately cause heart attacks and strokes.

The research team documented for the first time the exact risk of not getting enough sleep, finding that one hour less on average each night can increase coronary calcium by 16%.

The study was comprised of a group of 495 men and women aged 35 to 47. The results of the study showed that 27% of those getting less than five hours of sleep each night showed plaque in their heart vessels. Of those sleeping five to seven hours a night, 11% had plaque while only 6% of subjects sleeping more than seven hours each night had evidence of plaque buildup.

Dr. Tracy Stevens, spokesperson for the American Heart Association and a cardiologist at Saint Luke's Mid-America Heart Institute goes further and states that "We have enough evidence from this study and others to show that it is important to include sleep in any discussion of heart disease."

11 Year Study Finds that Insomniacs
Are at Higher Risk for Heart Attacks

Insomnia can wreak havoc on your life. Chronic insomnia can last for months or years. Most people with chronic insomnia spend several nights a week struggling to fall asleep or stay asleep.

The results of a large-scale study investigating the connection between heart health and insomnia reinforce the findings of the University of Chicago team. Scientists at the Norwegian Institute of Science and Technology surveyed 52,610 men and women and follow up with the participants over a period of 11 years.

The results of the study were adjusted for several health and lifestyle factors, including age, sex, education, physical fitness, smoking, alcohol consumption and high blood pressure. What the researchers found was revealing:

• Study participants who had difficulty falling asleep had a 45% greater risk of heart attack compared to those who didn't have problems falling asleep.

• Participants having trouble staying asleep throughout the night had a 30% greater risk of heart attack than those participants able to sleep through the night.

• Those who woke feeling tired had a 27% higher risk of heart attack than people who woke feeling refreshed.

If you're having sleep problems, consider keeping a journal. By keeping regular track of bedtimes and wake times, as well as how you feel in the morning when you wake up, can give you a clear picture of how you're really sleeping. Check with your doctor is problems persist.

These and other studies are making it clear getting enough sleep could save your heart. Taking a supplement like Oraescin is another preventative step you can take to promote the overall health of your circulatory system.

It goes without saying that as your heart goes, so goes your health.
The statistics are sobering. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 600,000 people die of heart disease in the U.S. per year, making it the leading cause of death for both men and women.
What’s more, 935,000 Americans have a heart attack each year as well. For 610,000 of these people, it’s their first heart attack, while the others have already had one.

In addition, heart failure, which limits the heart’s ability to pump blood and oxygen throughout the body, affects 5,700,000 people in the US.
To avoid becoming another statistic, common sense dictates that you practice healthy heart habits now.

To being, exercise regularly. A regular workout is not only beneficial for your heart; it can also do wonders for your waistline. Take more walks, go for a bike ride or enjoy a few laps in the pool. If need be, check with your doctor before beginning an exercise routine.

Next up is your diet. Eat a healthy assortment of vegetables and fruits to get the vitamins and minerals your body needs. Avoid foods drowned in heavy fats. Add fish or lean chicken for a low-fat meal.

Also, make sure you’re getting a good night’s sleep, which is vital to good heart health. Researchers are finding a correlation between lack of sleep and developing certain heart conditions. If you’re having problems sleeping, see your doctor. Don’t lose sleep over not sleeping!

Lastly, reduce your stress. Numerous studies have linked chronic stress to increased risk of heart problems. When you are under stress, you’re often not as careful about what you eat, you may not exercise, etc. Consider taking up yoga, meditation or other relaxation techniques as part of your heart health regimen.

A Healthy Heart Depends On Good Circulation.

There’s No Way Around It!
You see, virtually every aspect of your health depends on good circulation. Besides your heart, that includes organs like your brain, lungs, eyes, and skin along with metabolic functions like blood pressure, energy levels, sex drive, and blood sugar.

Faltering circulation is the last thing you want. After all, age is already taking its natural toll on your body. Depriving your organs of life-giving blood only makes matters worse.
The fundamentals of circulation are simple. Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood throughout your body, and veins return the oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart.

Only 40% of your blood is in your arteries at any given moment. A full 60% of your blood is in your veins. So when your veins begin to weaken, it’s no surprise that you’ll see and feel the effects.

Please Don’t Ignore the Signs of Weakening Circulation

Poor circulation is no laughing matter. What begins as a mild annoyance can progress into life-changing problems like a slow-motion train wreck.
The swelling and heaviness take their toll on your mobility. The simplest tasks can become difficult, like getting in and out of a car or going to the bathroom. Just shopping for groceries becomes a test of your strength and stamina.

The rest of your body pays the price, too.

Mental fog rolls in. Your organs and tissues get robbed of life-giving oxygen and nutrition, and you feel sluggish, fatigued, and weak. And certainly, you can never overlook the risk of potentially devastating blood clots.

If you’re looking forward to a long, healthy, and independent life, you want healthy circulation that’s firing on all cylinders. That’s where Oraescin comes in. It’s truly the lifeline for your entire body, from head to toe.

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism suggests that 25% of men over the age of 30 have low testosterone levels, and that one out of every 20 men have clinical symptoms linked to such a deficiency.

The numbers are rising as well. The same study predicts that by the year 2025, there may be as many as 6.5 million American men between the age of 30 and 79 diagnosed with low testosterone, up 38% from year 2000 estimates.(1)

Low testosterone can put a real damper on your life, leading to depression, fatigue, reduced sex drive and much more.

However, what you may not realize is that the food you're eating can be a contributing factor to your "low T". The following two nutrients when consumed excessively, have been found to contribute to low testosterone.

Fiber — Fiber helps keeps your bowels healthy, regulates blood glucose levels, allows you to get maximum nutrition from the foods you eat and much more.

However, two different studies published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism and the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry have both linked a low fat/high fiber diet with reduced testosterone levels. (2) (3) Keeping your fiber consumption under control can help keep your testosterone levels from decreasing.

Isoflavones — Isoflavones are a group of health-boosting phytonutrients found predominantly in soybeans and soy-based products. They act as antioxidants in your body, boost your blood, help protect against cancer and more.

Nonetheless, a study published in Nutrition and Cancer found that eating isoflavones can also lower your testosterone levels. (4) To help keep your testosterone levels from decreasing, it's best to consume isoflavones in moderation.

Eat Less of These Foods

Fruits, vegetables and whole grain products all contain high levels of fiber, while soy-based products are rich in isoflavones. However, the four foods listed below contain extremely high levels of these potentially testosterone-lowering nutrients:

Bran Flakes — Bran flakes are a nutritious breakfast cereal. However, if you’re trying to reduce your fiber intake, they’re not the best choice, with a 30g serving packing 5g of fiber.

Navy Beans — Navy beans are a top quality protein source and go great with salads and hot meals alike. However, they also pack 19g of fiber per cup, so if you want to keep your testosterone levels high, you'll want to limit your consumption of them.

Soy Beans — Soy beans contain over 25% of the RDA for 13 different health boosting nutrients. However, a single cup of these nutritious beans also packs 10g of fiber and 240mg of isoflavones. Consequently, if you want to maintain healthy testosterone levels, consider limiting the amount of soy products you eat.

Whole Wheat Bread — Generally speaking whole wheat bread is better for you than most other types of bread on the market. However, due to its fiber content (3g of fiber per slice), it’s something you may want to skip if you’re trying to boost your testosterone levels.

If you’re eating large amounts of the foods listed above, and you have low testosterone, they could be a contributing factor. Consider cutting back on these foods while you work on normalizing your testosterone levels.

Also, don't forget to take T-Boost every day as well. The clinically tested ingredients in T-Boost have been carefully chosen to help improve testosterone levels, keep your sex-drive alive, promote strong muscles and bones, and keep your heart and body healthy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful and debilitating joint disease that affects 27 million Americans.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in two Americans will get some form of OA in their lifetime. In addition, it's estimated that 1 out of every 2 will get symptomatic knee OA in their lifetime as well.(1)

What's more, it's estimated that your risk of getting knee OA increases to 57% if you have had a past knee injury. In addition, your risk goes up to 66% if you suffer from obesity.

Medically speaking, OA is a joint disease that mostly affects the cartilage, which is the soft tissue that surrounds the bones in your joints. When you have OA, the cartilage breaks down and wears away, allowing the bones to rub directly against each other.

It's this rubbing that causes you pain and causes the joint to swell, resulting in a loss of motion and mobility. Bone spurs may grow on the edges of the bones, and bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float around inside the joint space. As you might imagine, this can be quite painful.

The CDC goes on to report that many people fail to be proactive because they believe arthritis is something that happens as you age... and that you have to learn to live with the aches and pains.(2)

The good news is that unless you have a family history of arthritis, such as one or both of your parents having OA, you don't have to needlessly suffer. And perhaps most importantly, you can take steps to prevent OA from developing in the first place.

Could a Cure For Osteoarthritis Be On the Way?

A new study, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests that researchers may be closing in on a way to eliminate the pain associated with OA.

The study was conducted at Rush University Medical Center in collaboration with researchers at Northwestern University, both in Illinois. What makes this particular study so important is that researchers focused on the "pain pathway" rather than the "cartilage breakdown pathway".
Using a surgical mouse model, the medical researchers were able to track the development of both pain behaviors and the molecular events taking place in the nerves. Then, they correlated the data over an extended period of time.

In the assessment of the data, they looked at changes in the nerve ganglia that carry pain signals to the brain. They were able to identify the mechanism that is central to the development of OA pain.

To confirm their findings, the researchers blocked the mechanism in the mice at nine weeks after surgery. They found that this reversed the decrease in the movement-provoked pain behavior observed in the mice that didn't have the mechanism blocked.(3)

The belief is that the research could have major implications for future treatment of OA, especially for those in whom the condition has become extremely debilitating. However, it's too early to tell if this research will lead to a permanent cure to OA.

With that said, and depending on the severity of your pain, an all-natural solution like Isoprex can provide immediate joint pain relief. It works safely and gently to stop dangerous pain-causing inflammation in its tracks... without any side-effects.

Are You Getting Enough ZZZs?
Researchers Find Link Between
Sleep and Testosterone Levels

Sleep disorders affect millions of senior citizens. Lack of sleep can make the treatment of age-related health issues such as arthritis and heart disease more difficult.

In a study presented at the American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting, researchers from the Mayo Clinic found that sleep problems among the elderly are prevalent.

The researchers worked with 892 elderly participants, age 70-89, and found that 59% had a sleep disorder other than insomnia. 32% of the participants had sleep-related leg cramps.(1)

What's more, a National Sleep Foundation (NSF) survey found that poor sleep among the elderly often goes unnoticed by the medical community. Of the 67% who reported frequent sleep problems, only one in eight said their sleep problems were diagnosed.(2)

"In spite of the emerging science linking sleep and health, only a small fraction of the many reported sleep complaints of older adults are actually diagnosed and treated," says NSF President, James K. Walsh, PhD.

Two recent studies are finding that lack of sleep and poor quality sleep is linked to low testosterone as well, reinforcing the importance of getting a good night's sleep.

In the first of the two studies, researcher Zoran Sekerovic, a graduate student from the University of Montreal, looked at whether sleep quality and low testosterone in men over 50 are linked. His findings were presented at the annual conference of the Association Francophone Pour le Savoir (ACFAS).(3)

Specifically, Sekerovic discovered a link between testosterone levels in men over 50 and the quality of their deep sleep, considered Phases III and IV of the sleep cycle. This is important, because as Sekerovic says, "Deep sleep is when the recuperation of body and mind is optimal."

To put this in perspective, deep sleep represents 10 to 20 percent of total sleep in young men, whereas by age 50, it decreases to five to seven percent. It can disappear completely for men over 60.

Sekerovic suggests decreasing testosterone levels are what impact sleep, and not the other way around.

The Sleep-Testosterone Connection Begins Early

The second study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), found that lack of sleep significantly lowers a younger man's testosterone levels. (4) So much so that skipping sleep reduces a young man's testosterone levels by the same amount as aging 10 to 15 years.

Ten young men, with an average age of 24 years old, were chosen for the study. They had to pass a variety of tests to screen for endocrine or psychiatric disorders and sleep problems in advance.

During the study, each of the participants spent three nights in the lab sleeping for up to ten hours, followed by eight nights sleeping less than five hours. Researchers could tell after just a single week that sleep loss was linked to lower testosterone levels.

"As research progresses, low sleep duration and poor sleep quality are increasingly recognized as endocrine disruptors," said Eve Van Cauter, PhD and director of the study.

It's clear that getting sufficient sleep is vital to maintaining healthy testosterone levels, whether you're young or old. Shoot for 7-8 hours of sleep each night and stay away from eating late at night or drinking too much caffeine.

Also, remember to take T-Boost every day. It supports your body in making more of its natural supply of testosterone, lifting your energy so that you have more drive... no matter what your age.

Oranges and other citrus fruits high vitamin C are natural blood thinners and are said to strengthen capillary walls and prevent plaque build-up which leads to poor circulation.

Dark Chocolate

Cocoa contains flavonoids which is naturally found in plants and fruits and has been well linked to improving blood circulation. A study published in the Circulation Journal showed that dark chocolate rich in natural flavonoids improved blood circulation when compared with white chocolate with no flavonoids.

Cayenne pepper

Cayenne is available as a fresh pepper or dried spice and has been associated with increasing metabolic rate and strengthening arteries and blood vessels. Cayenne pepper is best eaten raw in salads or juiced.

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds are rich in vitamin E which is shown to help keep blood clots from forming. They are great at helping improve circulation. Likewise so are foods such as olives, nuts and pumpkin seeds.

Root Ginger

Ginger is known for helping nausea and digestion problems as well as increasing blood circulation. Ginger can be eaten raw or added to foods or why not try ginger tea.

Garlic

Garlic has many uses and one of them is it cleanses the blood and helps prevent plaque build-up. Other foods in the bulb group such as radishes, onions and leeks are also good at stimulating blood flow.

Ginkgo Biloba

One of the world's oldest surviving tree species, Ginkgo biloba dilates blood vessels and in doing so increases blood flow. It is also thought to increase blood flow to the brain.

Goji Berries

Goji berries can be found in natural health stores and look similar to raisins. They are high in fiber to help boost the immune system as well as increasing blood circulation.

Watermelon

Watermelons are rich in lycopene which is a natural antioxidant linked to improving circulation. Lycopene is a natural pigment which gives certain foods their reddish color. Tomatoes, pink grapefruit and apricots also contain lycopene.

Salmon and avocados

Both salmon and avocados contain heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids which research has shown to support the cardiovascular system and increase blood circulation.

Chronic inflammation plays a significant role (as either a cause or effect) in many diseases, including type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, such as Crohn’s disease, and the three top killers in the United States: heart disease, cancer and stroke. Emerging research is focusing on the link between inflammation and brain disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The good news is that diet, exercise and lifestyle changes can be powerful tools against inflammation. Here are 10 ways you can help stave off—or tamp down—inflammation.

1. Balance Your Omega Fats

Americans are gorging on too many inflammation-promoting omega-6 fats (found in vegetable oils, such as sunflower and corn, and processed and fast food made with them) and not consuming nearly enough inflammation-soothing omega-3 fats (found in salmon, tuna, flaxseeds, walnuts, canola and olive oils). In short: a diet high in omega-6s and low in omega-3s increases inflammation in the body, says Floyd Chilton, Ph.D., director of the NIH-sponsored Center for Botanical Lipids and Inflammatory Disease Prevention at Wake Forest Baptist Health School of Medicine. To better balance your omega fats, opt for as much fresh, unprocessed food as possible, swap your omega-6-rich corn or sunflower oil for omega-3-packed canola and load your plate with omega-3-rich foods. “If you eat one healthy source of omega-3 fatty acids every day, you’ll be doing good things for inflammation,” says Christopher P. Cannon, M.D., a professor at Harvard Medical School.

2. Get Your Om On
A 2010 study in the journal Psychosomatic Medicine found that women who had regularly practiced 75 to 90 minutes of Hatha yoga twice-weekly for at least two years had markedly lower levels of interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP), two key inflammatory markers, compared to those who were new to yoga or practiced less frequently. “A central tenet of yoga is that practicing can reduce stress responses,” explains Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, Ph.D., study co-author and professor of psychiatry and psychology at the Institute for Behavioral Medicine Research at Ohio State University College of Medicine. Researchers think that yoga’s benefit is that it minimizes stress-related physiological changes.

3. Up Your Soy

The Food and Drug Administration has indicated that eating 25 grams of soy protein daily helps to reduce your risk of inflammation-driven cardiovascular disease. But according to two 2009 studies, even as little as half that may be helpful. “We saw a reduction in inflammation after drinking just two [12-ounce] glasses of soymilk a day for three months,” says study co-author Elvira de Mejia, Ph.D., associate professor of nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana. (Each glass contained 6 grams of soy protein.) Apparently, lunasin, a peptide found in soymilk and tofu, in combination with other soy proteins, can quell inflammation. (If you have a hormone-sensitive condition, such as breast cancer or endometriosis, check with your doctor before increasing the amount of soy in your diet.)

4. Enjoy a Massage

A massage isn’t just a treat—it can be part of staying healthy. Receiving a 45-minute Swedish massage can greatly lower levels of two key inflammation-promoting hormones, according to a study in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. “Massage may decrease inflammatory substances by [appropriately] increasing the amount of disease-fighting white blood cells in the body,” says Mark Hyman Rapaport, M.D., co-author of the study. “It may also lower stress hormones. Either way, these inflammation-lowering results can be seen after just one massage.”

5. Limit Bad Fats

The famed Nurses’ Health Study out of Harvard (well known for being one of the largest and longest-running investigations into women’s health) found that trans-fatty acids are linked to a significant bump in total body inflammation, especially in overweight women. Trans fats can be found in items including fried foods, packaged cookies, crackers, margarines and more. And buyer beware: “Even if a food label reads 0 grams trans fats, it can still contain less than 0.5 gram per serving, so if you eat multiple servings, you could be eating a few grams,” advises Erin Palinski, R.D., C.D.E. Instead, check the ingredient list for partially hydrogenated oil. If you see this, the product contains trans fats. While you’re trimming the fat, cut back on the saturated variety as well, replacing butter with olive oil and being choosy about your protein sources. “Saturated fat, found in fatty cuts of meat, whole milk and butter, can convert to pro-inflammatory compounds when digested. Instead, aim to eat more lean proteins, such as fish, white-meat poultry and plant-based proteins like beans,” Palinski says.

6. Eat Your Greens

Here’s yet another reason not to skimp on green leafy vegetables, whole grains and nuts: they are all rich in magnesium, a mineral that about 60 percent of us don’t consume enough of. “I encourage anyone who’s susceptible to inflammation to assess their magnesium intake,” says Forrest H. Nielsen, Ph.D., a research nutritionist at the USDA’s Grand Forks Human Nutrition Research Center in North Dakota. (Ask your doctor to check your magnesium levels with a blood test.) “There’s a lot of evidence that people with high inflammatory markers often have low magnesium levels. Plus, people who have conditions associated with inflammation, like heart disease and diabetes, also tend to have low magnesium levels,” Nielsen says. In short: eating more magnesium-rich foods could help lower your chances of inflammation.

7. Keep Stress at Bay

Frequently frazzled? You may be opening the door to inflammation. A recent study in the journal Brain, Behavior, and Immunity found that people who have a strong emotional reaction to stressful tasks (you bite your nails when you have to make a presentation at work or get tense when someone presses your buttons) experience a greater increase in circulating interleukin-6 during times of stress than those who take stressful tasks in stride. While stress harms your body in many ways, Cannon puts it like this: “Stress increases blood pressure and heart rate, making your blood vessels work harder. Essentially, you’re pounding on them more often and creating damage. If that damage happens over and over, inflammation persists.”

8. Sleep More

If you’re not clocking at least 6 hours of restful sleep a night, you’re more susceptible to inflammation than those who have a solid night of slumber, according to research presented at the American Heart Association 2010 Scientific Sessions in Chicago. Getting less than 6 hours of sleep was linked to significantly increased levels of three key inflammatory markers—interleukin-6, CRP and fibrinogen.

9. Exercise Often

Losing excess weight via exercise (or eating better) is a great way to lower inflammation. Working out, however, can lower inflammation even if you don’t drop one single pound. The reason? Exercising at about 60 to 80 percent of your maximum heart rate—think brisk walking where you can still talk but it would be difficult to carry on a conversation—lowers levels of the key inflammation marker CRP, Chilton says.

10. Drink Green Tea

Even if coffee is your beverage of choice, you might not want to bag tea altogether—especially the green variety. Green tea is full of potent antioxidants that help quell inflammation. In fact, researchers from Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock recently found that green tea can inhibit oxidative stress and the potential inflammation that may result from it. “After 24 weeks, people who consumed 500 mg of green tea polyphenols daily—that’s about 4 to 6 cups of tea—halved their oxidative stress levels,” says Leslie Shen, Ph.D., the study’s lead author. (The placebo group didn’t see a single change.)

If you’re planning on hitting up your favorite restaurant for a pepperoni pizza or cheeseburger and fries, you may want to swap your chocolate malt for grapefruit juice instead.

New research from UC Berkeley showed that mice who consumed sweetened grapefruit juice while consuming a diet high in fat may gain less weight than those who opted for sweetened water. The juice guzzling mice also had better metabolic health measures, insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels.

Studies also found that the weight loss or gain was not affected by grapefruit juice when the mice were put on a low-fat diet. However, it did affect their sensitivity to insulin.

While the studies sound favorable when it comes to shedding pounds, it does come with several warnings. The California Grapefruit Growers Cooperative paid for the study. However, the researchers from Berkeley began the study with a lot of skepticism when it came to the power of this delectable citrus fruit.

They were so blown away by the end results of the study that they re-checked the sensors and calibrations to ensure that they were accurate.

The study was in the smaller range with only six mice being used to test their consumption of liquid, diet and nutrients. While the research may have shown the powerful results of grapefruit juice in mice, it doesn’t mean that it will prove just as beneficial to humans. However, the positive findings may show why grapefruits are typically featured in many of today’s fad diets.

The bitter flavors in grapefruit juice come from naringin. This powerful flavonoid is not a particular favorite of mice. The cause for the weight loss in previous studies that used both mice and grapefruit juice may have stemmed from the fact that the mice’s appetites were suppressed because of their disdain for the taste of grapefruit.

The Berkeley studies hoped to resolve this issues by sweetening the juice with saccharin first. They also gave the mice in the alternate group sugar water sweetened with saccharin and glucose. The number of calories was also the same as the juice that was sweetened.

Mice given grapefruit juice drank and ate similar amounts. However, after eating a diet higher in fat for approximately 100 days, the mice who consumed grapefruit juice had a weight reduction by as much as 18.5 percent than the rodents with the sweetened water. Their weight loss also became apparent after 15 days and significant enough by the time 78 days rolled around.

At the end of the 100 day study, the grapefruit juice laden mice were in much better metabolically than those who drank the sugar water. They also had less sensitivity to insulin, low fasting blood sugar numbers and a reduced level of liver triglycerides.

A follow-up experiment also allowed the mice to increase their girth before the grapefruit juice study was introduced. At the end of the 55 days, there was a noticeable weight reduction in the mice who consumed grapefruit juice as opposed to the ones who stuck to water. Their metabolic functioning was also much better.

The researchers then compared the effects of grapefruit flavonoid enriched naringin, grapefruit juice and diabetes pharmaceutical metformin. While all three of the treatments were found to reduce the blood sugar levels in mice, the grapefruit juice drinkers weighed less by as much as 14 percent after 100 days.

How grapefruit juice promotes weight loss isn’t exactly clear at this time. However, researchers did find that the juice drinking mice did express a particular protein that was crucial in regulating their metabolism. Grapefruit juice can also affect the way the body metabolizes specific pharmaceutical drugs in regards to allergies, cholesterol, anxiety and blood pressure. The problem is so serious that scientists are looking into a hybrid species of grapefruit that would be safe to consume with certain medications.

A recent discovery found in a molecular switch could help control how quick a person ages and whether they'll develop cancer.

It’s the job of our cells to consistently divide, so they can rejuvenate our skin, liver, lungs and other organs. Unfortunately, they can’t do this forever, and our tissues and organs are left to suffer and degrade over time.

Telomeres are the DNA caps that settle at the end of the chromosomes. Every time the cell is able to divide, the telomeres continue to get shorter until they are so small that they are unable to properly divide.

Researchers have found a switch to stop the beat down of the telomere. Telomerase is an enzyme that helps to rebuild the telomere and allows them to indefinitely divide. However, finding out why some of the telomerase responds to cells in some and not others is still difficult to ascertain.

The Salk Institute or Biological Studies have realized that the on/off switch in the telomerase may be found in a cell, but when it comes to slowing down the aging process, it won’t work if the switch is turned off.

Studies in the past have shown that once the telomerase has been collected, it should be accessible when needed. However, findings have proven that the telomerase have an off switch instead.

This is a significantly major breakthrough because scientists can now determine how to manage the off switch and slow the aging process down. It could also help in finding treatments for many of today’s age related illnesses and diseases. The ways the telomerase uncontrollably divide could also prove insightful when it comes to studying cancer cells.

Researchers discovered the on/off switch while incorporating a new technique using yeast. They were then allowed to monitor how the cells grew and methods that they used to divide.

Every time the cells are allowed to separate, a genome is replicated. While the cell is waiting for its duplication, the telemorase is in a sit and wait mode waiting for the process to come to fruition.

However, once the assembly was completed, the dismantling of the telemorase took place, and it was switched to the off position.

The off switch is what has given researchers new hope when it comes to cancer and cell growth and ensuring that the cells divide for longer periods of time.

The recent research done with the help of yeast may not seem very telling at the moment, but the experiments have certainly provided a foundation for future discoveries when it comes to human beings.

Further studies will be able to help researchers understand more about how the switch works, and it’s relation to both the aging process and cancer. Once they figure this out, they can use their findings to help people live a longer and healthier life.

The time a person is most human is before birth. After you’re born, the environment’s microbes surround your body and outnumber them by as much as 10 to one.

Because some microbes offer protection and others may make a person sick, scientists have been instrumental in exploring the correlation they have when it comes to a person’s health and wellness.

Instead of growing the species and deciphering their DNA sequence in order to make genomes, researchers obtain samples from a particular location such as the belly. Metagenome is collected material that is found when the DNA is chopped and read.

Through this inexpensive process, metagenome data can be generated in significant amounts through the nose, skin, mouth and both the gastrointestinal and urogenital regions of an adult. It can also be used to discover unfamiliar microbes such as a bacteriophage virus known as crAssphage.

crAssphage is a bacteria eating virus that can infect and ravage the gut. While it has been known to behave both in bad and good respects, it spends most of the time in a creative and harmonious companionable home that allows an individual to digest the foods they eat. However, it can also wreak havoc by causing complicated issues such as obesity, cancer and diabetes.

Discovered by Dr. Bas Dutilh, the genome was reconstructed from DNA fragments. When it came to programming, the initial name was touted solely as the new virus. However, Dr. Dutilh wanted the chance to endorse his computer tool as a method of terminology and ended up naming it crAssphage (cross Assembly).

Because the metagenome has DNA fragments that make up the populace of microbes, reconstructing the genome was a difficult challenge to accomplish. Some may even compare this to pieces in a puzzle that are combined together from hundreds of different designs. In order to put it all together the various species are uses as a method of guidance. However, how do you even complete the process if you aren’t sure that it actually exists?

Based on the fragmented DNA, the computer tool is able to piece the genomes together and match them to the metagenome. To make this easier to understand, say you would find a puzzle piece with thats distinct shape is the same from other boxes. Unfortunately, box A would contain 10 copies, and the other container houses 100.
Using is crAss computer software, Dutilh worked with other researchers at San Diego State University. Here they took 12 individuals and analyzed the faecal metagenomes to reveal the distinct DNA fragments. Based on one of the stool samples, their crAssphage diagnosis was confirmed.

It was then the responsibility of the researchers to look through the public databases. Approximately 70 percent of the virus was detected from areas that include South Korea, United States and Europe. With over three-quarters of crAssphage occurring throughout the world, there could be trillions of viruses taking over your belly at this moment.

Since crAssphage is too tiny to be witnessed through a microscope, it’s difficult to ascertain as much information as researchers would like. The researchers have evidence that shows how crAssphage is infected with Bacteroides. In addition to controlling the amount of bacteria that exists in a healthy belly, crAssphage might be used as a way to fight disease in the future. crAssphage could also deliver vitamins and drugs to a person therapeutically.

In summation, research in regards to metagenome has primarily centered on bacteria. Because DNA advances faster than it’s able to detect, viruses have been overlooked. However, crAssphage has shown the important role viruses can take in the microbial community.

Scientists have found a way to transform blood cells into blood-forming ones.

Researchers have taken mature blood cells from mice and reprogrammed them into the blood-forming variety using a combination of eight genetic switches. The transcription factors commonly known as HSCs are capable of self-renewal. They can also give growth to the cellular segments of the blood.

With the latest findings related to the HSCs production, the goals of regenerative medicine have finally become attainable. Bone marrow transplants, also known as blood transplants, are a method that has been used to save patient’s lives for over three decades. However, finding the right cell matches for the transplantation process has proved challenging for many patients and researchers.

HSCs are the starting basis for the transplantation process regardless if their source was from peripheral blood, bone marrow or umbilical cord blood. The patient’s transplant success rate is based on the number of HSCs that are available for usage. If there are a great number of cells available to be used, the better chance that the transplant will take hold for the patient.

Unfortunately HSCs are a rare commodity and are comprised of about one in every 20,000 bone marrow cells. If there was a way to manufacture HSCs from the other cells in a patient, they could be utilized for transplants and a way to model diseases related to blood development.

The latest findings screened gene expression using various types of blood progenitor cells taken from mice. By using 40 types of blood, they were able to identify control factors that turned the genes both on and off based on the exclusive HSCs.

The production of blood cells typically moves in one direction that includes stem cells, progenitors and mature effector cells. However, the main goal was to reverse the process by developing the HSCs from various blood cells that were specific to the HSCs.

Through this series of experiments, the team was able to find that six out of the 36 factors were able to reprogram two varieties of progenitor cells in the iHSCs.

This was done by exposing the cells to viruses that contained the 8 factors and molecular device that turned the genes on when in the presence of doxycycline. The exposed cells were then transplanted into the mice and activated by way of doxycycline. The iHSCs were then able to generate the stockpile of blood cells that were transplanted into the mice to show that they could differentiate into the various blood lines. It also marks the innovative direction mice are taking in response to HSC research.

Because questions such as how the eight factors contribute to the reprogramming process, and the success of the approaches on viruses and transcription, the latest findings are far from being recorded at the transplantation clinic. The studies are also inconclusive when it comes to the results related to human cells versus non-blood in correlation to the reprogrammed iHSCs.

Gene matched donors and utilizing the cells of a patient to develop iHSCs may be a long way away, but it’s definitely a movement in the right direction. The discovery could also have a major impact on the transplantation process down the road.

Experts have stated for many years that what is good for your heart is also good for your head. Now, both the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association have stated that the plaque buildup in the arteries that leads to heart disease can also have a negative impact on the brain.

Philip B. Gorelick is a medical doctor and the director of the Center for Stroke Research at University of Illinois College of Medicine. He has stated that the brain and heart are linked by the arteries that supply nutrients, oxygen and blood. If plaque builds up in the arteries and causes them to harden, then the brain and heart will be deprived of blood.

Fortunately, there are a number of delicious foods that can protect your cranium and ticker.

1.) Fish

There have been studies done to confirm that eating one or two four ounce servings of rainbow trout, salmon, sardines or mackerel can reduce your risk of developing heart disease by 36 percent. There was another study done that followed 80,000 women over the course of 14 years. The study found that the women who ate fish twice a week were 51 percent less likely to have a thrombotic stroke than women who consumed fish less than once a month. Clogged arteries are the cause of a thrombotic stroke. According to Ralph Felder, a medical doctor who wrote The Bonus Years Diet, the omega 3 fatty acids in fish help reduce inflammation in the arteries. This keeps blood flowing to the brain.

2.) Have A Glass of Red Wine

Red wine has polyphenols, which have been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol as well as prevent blood clot formation. Resveratrol, which is one type of polyphenol, can increase blood circulation to the brain, which can lower the risk of stroke. Even though there are a number of health benefits that can be reaped from drinking wine, you do not need to start drinking it if you do not currently consume alcoholic beverages.

3.) Increase Your Produce Consumption

A study published in the Journal Circulation showed that hypertensive patients could improve their blood circulation and lower their blood pressure by eating more fruits and vegetables. There was another study performed on people who were over the age of 65. The study showed that the subjects who ate three servings of vegetables per day performed better on cognitive tests than those who consumed few or no vegetables. Potassium, which is a nutrient found in baked potatoes, artichokes and bananas, can help prevent the walls in the arteries from thickening. This will lower blood pressure.

You’ll have to learn some important anti-aging secrets that are centered round the body, mind and spirit mantra, if you plan on living an active and healthy life well past your 80s. Interdependent activities such as stimulating the mind to lighten the mood and exercising the body to obtain a sharper mind shows how the aspects of a healthy life are dependent on the other.

Heredity plays an important in a person’s health and wellness. However, you don’t have to be a slave to your family tree. While certain conditions may be passed down from generation to generation, you can plan for these obstacles and bypass them with proper education. You can even retool your life’s perspective and mood to reduce the stress and anxiety in your life. This can keep your mental capabilities sharp and enhance your cognitive abilities.

With a little education and an interactive approach, you can play a key role in the quality and longevity of your life. The following are 10 techniques that will help you retain your youth and good health as you age.

10: Mental Stimulation for the Brain

Living a long and vivacious life takes a sharp and positive mind. Mental stimulation is just as important for the brain in ridding it of disease and sluggishness, as it is for the remainder of the body. A recent study found that women who were highly educated had a reduced number of instances in Alzheimer’s disease. Autopsy result analysis also concluded that women who had interests away from work to challenge their minds had lower instances of the disease.

The brain requires mental stimulation in order to keep the neurological pathways flowing. Simple practices that can help include reading, learning a new language or hobby, puzzles and taking classes at the local community college. Following the old adage of use it or lose can prove beneficial when it comes to retaining your mental capabilities.

9: Consume a Healthy Diet

Consuming a healthy diet should consist of a healthy dose of fruits, vegetables, lean protein, whole-grains, minerals and other healthy nutrients. You should also consume over five glasses of water per day.

Your daily calorie consumption from fat should also be under 35 percent, with approximately one-fifth from olive oil, canola oil or 1 percent milk. Protein and carbohydrates are equally important and can include oatmeal, wild rice and whole-wheat breads.

8: Spirituality

Individuals who are spiritual or followed some sort of religion in their life had a more positive effect on their physical health. It can also help lessen the amount of pain and suffering in their life. Whether the spirituality comes from prayer, meditation or learning to forgive and forget, you can achieve a happier life with some form of a greater power.

7: Exercise

Depression, stress and compulsive disorders were shown to improve with Kundalini Yoga Meditation. Researchers have further investigated this theory between the body, mind and spirit and found it powerful in eliciting positive change, especially during the latter years of life.

Regular cardiovascular exercise is imperative for those interested in slowing down the aging process. Current studies have shown how important exercise can be in combating the loss of muscle tone, stamina, bone density and balance that often increases as a person ages.

If you’re ready to give it a go, the American Heart Association advices utilizing a cardio and strength training regimen a minimum of three times a week. After you get in the habit of your fitness routine, it can be a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.

6: Load Up on Anti-oxidants

According to the Dr. Jeffrey Blumberg of Tufts University, free radicals can add to the onset of the aging process. However, consuming a high number of antioxidants can neutralize the free radicals that are damaging your system.

You can start with the consumption of a healthy diet and supplements. Colorful vegetables such as squash, kale, tomatoes, spinach and carrots contain carotenoids. Blueberries, blackberries and raspberries are also nutritious and can contain important flavonoids. Because the foods contain important antioxidants, they are considered a super food source.

5: Choose a Healthy Supplement

There are only so many hours in a day to consume healthy foods such as a spinach salads, fish and quinoa. Fortunately, supplements can help pick up the slack when you’re not able to eat right.

Daily supplements can help the body absorb healthy nutrients when you’re eating habits aren’t at their best. Classic supplements can include important antioxidants of vitamin C, vitamin E and a mixed carotenoid. Consuming the essential antioxidants daily is similar to driving while wearing a seatbelt. While the protective gear is in place to save your life, it doesn’t give you the license to maneuver your vehicle recklessly.

4: A Good Night’s Rest

The expression I’ll sleep when I die is commonly heard among people who think that sleep isn’t important. However, a lack of a good night’s rest can actually contribute to a shorter life span. Insufficient rest of less than six hours nightly can increase your chances of a heart attack or stroke. The lack of sleep can also deteriorate your mind significantly.

Not enough rest can also increase your volatile emotions and make you more prone to bouts of anger. Viral infections and illnesses are also more common for individuals with poor sleep habits. To ensure your health, wellness and longevity, you want to shoot for a minimum of eight hours of sleep every night.

3: Wrinkle Reducer

It can be difficult being vigilant about staying out of the sun throughout a life span and fine lines, age spots and wrinkles are bound to emerge as you age.

A wrinkle reducing cream with retinol in it can reduce the appearance of fine lines. Tretinoin and retinal topical creams can increase the skins production of collagen by exfoliating the skin. They also come in various concentrations and are dependent on the individual’s tolerant level.

2: Raise Your Hormone Levels

It’s typical to experience the loss of libido, energy and stamina in both men and women as you age. They are also symptoms of a reduction in hormone levels. Hormone replacement therapy can combat the symptoms through the various anti-aging prescriptions on the market today.

1: Human Growth Hormone Therapy (HGH)

Human growth hormone therapy is a controversial method for individuals who are willing to dole out an exorbitant amount of money per month. However, the treatment can preserve a personal’s vitality and wellness with a simple injection. Several of the benefits include reduced body fat, increase in sexual performance, muscle tone, firm skin and elevated mood and positivity. While the FDA hasn’t approved it as routine anti-aging therapy, you can start your own wellness regimen by adopting a clean and healthy lifestyle.

Depression may have harmful effects on more than just the mind per the latest findings. Physical conditions linked to depression typically include heart disease, cancer and type 2 diabetes. However, new research has shown that it may accelerate the way a person ages at a cellular level.

A recent study published in Molecular Psychiatry showcased the way investigators from the Netherlands utilized protective caps from the chromosome and how the ends are shortened when the cells are divided. This impact determined the effects of depression on the aging process. The telomeres length has always been used as a marker to determine the age of the cell, with animals and humans being shown to have the shorter versions.

The study divided over 2,000 adult participants into groups of three. They consisted of individuals who previous were diagnosed with a depressive disorder, people currently struggling with the illness and those who never experienced any form of depression. After controlling factors such as alcohol, consumption, smoking, nutrition and weight were considered, the people with a history of depression were found to house shorter telomeres than others in the group. The stronger the depression; the shorter the length in telomeres.

When compared with depressed participants to those healthy, you’ll find the individuals with depression to be at 5,460 bp compared to the healthier people in the group who were at 5,540 bp. The telomeres can also shorten by as much as 14 and 20 bp per the latest findings. Depression can play a significant role on the wear and tear of the human body and result in an accelerated rate of biological aging.

This study merely found a correlation between depression, and the length of the telomere and future studies will be needed to determine the exact relationship. While depression might be an important trigger for cellular damage by shortening the telomeres, it hasn’t been proven to shorten a person’s life span. More research will be needed to determine clinical relevance.

The following are tips for staying healthy, fit and happy for the rest of your life!

In order to stay healthy and keep the doctor away, you need to eat more than just an apple a day. Life is hectic and stressful for most people and bad habits such as high stress levels, limited sleep and too much alcohol can make it difficult for most people to maintain a healthy body. It can also increase your risk of cancer, stroke and heart disease.

1. Ditch the Smokes

Even if you’re an occasional smoke, your body is still at risk for heart disease and cancer. Recent studies indicate that cigarette smoking can kill one in five people across the nation each year. Smoking is a preventable cause of death and one of the worst habits you could ever have.

2. Sun-Kissed-Glow

Tanning beds and sun worshipers are more likely to develop skin cancer and deadly melanoma than those who stay out of the sun. Sun exposure can also lead to premature aging and wrinkles. Sunscreen can help prevent overexposure to the sun and keep your skin looking young, healthy and radiant.

3. Chocolate is Your Friend

Consuming foods that you actually like can be enjoyed in moderation. When the occasional treat beckons, and you must indulge, you can still stay focused and on track with a small sampling. A strict diet will only cause you to overindulge and binge.

4. What’s Your Number?

You’re doing your body a disservice if you aren’t familiar with your HDL and LDL cholesterol numbers. Your blood sugar levels and cholesterol should be checked on a regular basis and will help you make knowledgeable decisions based on your test results.

5. Get Moving

Research shows that a minimum of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise can do a body good. Whether you hit the gym for your favorite boot camp class or take a brisk walk, you'll find that exercise has a positive impact on a person’s physical and mental wellness. If you can't fit in a full thirty minutes in the morning, you can break the time up until you reach your full thirty or more.

6. What Your DNA Says About You

Your family history can tell you a host of stories about your health. Genetics play a key role in your health, and it pays to know whether your father had prostate cancer or your grandmother had diabetes. Early health screenings can help you stay on top of serious health issues, especially those that run in the family. It can also play an important role in a physician’s care and treatment when they know your detailed familial history.

7. Make Time for Tea

Green tea is chalk full of antioxidants that are needed to ward off illnesses and diseases. It can also benefit those who are looking to lose weight. The next time you hit up your favorite coffee shop for a latte, skip the foam beverage and make it a green tea.

8. Say “No” to Soda

Soda is loaded with sugar and can ruin your hard-earned efforts of watching what you eat. Diet and regular soda can also be harmful to your health. Although diet soda is the lesser of the two evils, it is better than the calorie laden regular version. You may want to try replacing your favorite cola beverage with green tea or water instead.

9. Regular Health Exams

Breast exams and pap smears should be a yearly occurrence for women of all age groups. In between exams, women should also be doing their monthly self-breast exam and scheduling an annual mammogram once they’ve reached the age of 40.

10. The Colors of the Rainbow

Colorful foods are loaded with vitamins and nutrients and should take up a majority of your dinner plate. Fruits, vegetables, lean protein and legumes are packed with minerals and vitamins necessary for your body to run right. Healthy carbs are good for you when you replace them with healthy grains such as whole-wheat pasta, brown rice and quinoa.

Satisfying routines and activities to help achieve happiness and health.

A man’s happiness isn’t all about a cold beer and grilling, but it is close. Our poll took a look at a diverse group of men that included musicians, chefs, stock brokers, grand dads, lawyers and bottle washers and came up with the following list of activities and satisfying routines that help men achieve health and happiness.

A.M. Workout

Several of the men surveyed found they favored an early morning work that included playing tennis, running, walking or an indoor workout. They found that it set up the rest of their day both mentally and physically. Fitness experts have praised the many benefits of exercising in the morning and believe that it contributes to a boost in energy and a positive mood throughout the day. Most men that work out in the morning found it easier to stay with an exercise program too.

Making Room for Alone Time

Finding time to spend with family and friends is extremely important in order to achieve happiness. However, making room for alone time is also a necessity among men. It can be as simple as reading the Sunday newspaper with a cup of coffee before the family gets up or watching a favorite T.V. show alone. Some men surveyed chose to do something creative or educational while others wanted to vegetate and shut off their brain for few moments. Most chose mornings as their preferred time of day, although there were a few night owls in the group too.

Bonding with the Guys

Male camaraderie is especially important in the group of men that was polled. Bonding with the guys over hot wings and a cold beer evokes feelings of happiness and contributes to numerous health benefits. Research has shown that forming new friendships and reinforcing old ones over a game of pool or at a favorite sporting venue is good for your psychological welfare and longevity.

Date Night

It doesn’t always come up in conversation on nights out with the guys, but men can be protective about making time to spend with their significant other. Busy dads with a myriad of activities at work and home know the importance of date nights to help stay connected to their loved one. Couples committed to spending alone time together away from children and other household obligations seem to argue less and have better problem-solving skills when tensions arise at home.

Sports and Leisure

Men reap just as many benefits as children do with regular softball, hockey and baseball games. Some of the benefits include social interaction, mental sharpness and keeping on top of their physical skills. Experts on the subject note that healthy adult competition can play an important role in men’s lives and make them happier and more productive throughout their busy day.

Organization

Self-help books and seminars can provide you with the tools to effectively manage your time and organize your daily tasks. Fortunately, you don’t need someone to tell you that in order to achieve peace of mind; you need to tackle the chaos. An excellent way to organize your life starts with a calendar. Write down where you need to be and the jobs that need to get accomplished. Cross off each of the items on your list as you finish them.

Implement an Exercise Regimen

Implementing a regular exercise regimen can invoke feels of accomplishment and satisfaction in men. Some of the guys polled favored a vigorous run, weight lifting workout, an early morning swim and biking to work. A normal exercise routine can promote numerous health benefits such as improving sexual performance, combating diseases, controlling weight and mood boosting properties. The Surgeon General reported the coalition between a sedentary lifestyle and heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety and stroke.

Giving Back

Feelings of happiness also included giving back to others. Men in our survey felt that volunteering, giving to charity or doing something nice stayed with them for the entire day and made them feel better about themselves. Getting a thank you lets them know that their work was appreciated and brings fulfillment to their lives.

Decadent Fare

Dieting and watching what you eat is at the forefront of everyone’s mind, but the occasional decadent meal such as a juicy steak, comforting bowl of pasta or pancakes and syrup evoke happiness in every man. Enjoying a big meal or tasty snack in moderation is deserving of every male, especially after a brutal day at the office.

Relaxing with Family

Whether it’s enjoying a favorite T.V. show, board game or making pizza together, relaxing with the family helps keep men happy. This not only opens up the lines of communication with your children and spouse, it provides an opportunity to do something fun together. This is also beneficial to your children and gives them the tools to grow up to be responsible and confident young adults.

The Company of Family and Friends

A meal shared with family, friends and loved ones tantalizes a man’s senses and sends signals of enjoyment to the male brain. Simple pleasures such as sitting around the table conversing, sharing a glass of wine, and indulging on good food defines serenity for many in our poll.

Musical Entertainment

Musicians and novices felt that sitting down at the piano or playing the guitar relieved tension and melted away stress caused by a chaotic day. Other creative activities such as woodworking, painting and working on cars tapped into a different side of their mind and brought men fulfillment as much as playing an instrument did.

Quality Time with the Kids

One of the leading sources of happiness among fathers surveyed included time with their children. It could be because men are just overgrown kids or they enjoy feeling the strains of youth again, many found that they wanted to catch whatever moment of alone time they could with their kids. Time spent on the drive to practice, waiting for the school bus or a nighttime chat before bed was precious to each of them.

Outdoor Walk

An invigorating walk outside can reduce stress, anxiety, tiredness and depression. Not only is it a great way to stay in shape and get your heart pumping, it can also be beneficial to your mind and spirituality. Whether you walk around the neighborhood or find a scenic spot along a local nature trail, getting outside for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes each day can be peaceful and help relieve stress. Walking is also easy on the joints and can help those suffering from arthritis.

Heart attacks are more complicated than you might think. The risk is partially determined by the well-known factors of diet, activity level, and family history, but heart attack risk can be increased or decreased in some surprising ways a typical patient might not even consider. Take a look at these fifteen little-known possible contributors to heart attack and see if you may be increasing your risk without realizing it.

Calcium Supplements

A 2012 study in Heart indicated that people who take calcium supplements are at higher risk for heart attacks than people who don’t. The problem is not the calcium itself, but the supplements. “I tell patients to get calcium in their diet,” explains Dr. Malissa Wood, co-director of the Corrigan Women’s Heart Health Program at the Massachusetts General Hospital Heart Center. “Eat oily fish twice a week along with other foods that have calcium.”

Antibiotics

Azithromycin, an antibiotic common because of its effectiveness and because it only requires five doses in one course, may be linked to increased risk of heart attack fatalities. The evidence is not yet conclusive, but patients who already have heart disease may want to discuss different antibiotics with their physicians.

Quitting Aspirin

Heart patients who want to end treatment with aspirin or other anti-inflammatories should do so gradually and under medical supervision, says Dr. Matthew Sorrentino, a University of Chicago cardiologist. The patients’ risk for heart attack is higher for at least a week after the treatment has been discontinued.

Urban Settings

Living in close proximity to high levels of traffic can actually double a person’s risk of a cardiac-related death, according to two studies. A German study found that the risk holds steady whether a person travels by car, public transit, or bicycle.

Neighborhood

In 2001, The New England Journal of Medicine printed a study showing that people who live in low income neighborhoods are three times more likely to suffer from heart disease than people with similar income levels and lifestyles who live in more affluent areas. “It’s very true and something you can’t do much about other than change where you live or spend time in places where the air quality isn’t so toxic,” says Dr. Wood.

Relationship Problems

Valentine’s Day hearts look nothing like real hearts, but a problem in one’s love life can be a literal heartbreaker. Epidemiologists at University College London determined that relationship problems can increase heart attack risk by 34 percent.

Job Stress

Mental strain from work can increase someone’s risk of heart attack by 23 percent. A 2005 study of British government employees found that heart disease was far more likely in people who didn’t feel their opinions were valued or who felt a lack of control in decision-making processes.

Depression

The Journal of the American College of Cardiology reported in 2009 that women diagnosed with depression are twice as likely to develop heart disease as their non-depressed peers. Similarly, patients who have already had one heart attack are more likely to have another if they are depressed.

Gum Disease

Poor oral health can increase cardiac risk by up to 25 percent. Scientists believe the culprit is oral bacteria, which can slip into the bloodstream by way of inflamed gums and trigger inflammation in blood vessels.

Respiratory Infections

Influenza and other respiratory infections can increase a patient’s odds of heart attack by five times during the first three days of illness. The inflammatory response brought on by the immune system’s fight against infection can create a heart attack or a stroke. Flu vaccines are particularly important for cardiac patients because they help prevent this risk.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

A 2006 Harvard study indicated a possible link between heart attack and the hormone treatments used for prostate cancer. The research has not yet proven that the link is causal, but it should be considered, particularly in determining prostate cancer treatment for patients already at increased cardiac risk.

Kidney Disease

A Dutch study found that patients who have kidney disease or weakened kidneys are at higher risk for a heart attack. An unrelated study of 10,000 men determined that men who have chronic kidney disease are twice as likely to have cardiac trouble as are their counterparts.

Diabetes

Along with the many other terrible health issues it brings, diabetes can increase a person’s risk of fatal heart disease by up to four times. Fortunately, the risk is lessened greatly by the exercise and healthy diet prescribed for all diabetic patients.

Autoimmune Disorders

The leading cause of death among patients with lupus, an autoimmune disorder which causes the body to attack its own cells, is heart attack. The constant activity of the immune system leads to chronic inflammation, which increases cardiac risk. Even psoriasis, which seems like a skin issue but is actually caused by immune function, can increase heart attack risk. “In certain patients, psoriasis is a risk factor for heart attack comparable to diabetes,” points out Dr. Joel M. Gelfand, a University of Pennsylvania assistant professor of dermatology.

Low HDL (Good) Cholesterol

A study done by Indiana University found that low HDL cholesterol is actually the third highest predictor of heart attack risk, coming lower than only prior heart issues and age. “If young people have heart attacks, I can almost always tell you they have low HDL,” says Dr. Wood. However, HDL levels can be increased by weight loss and exercise.

Experts have stated for many years that what is good for your heart is also good for your head. Now, both the American Stroke Association and the American Heart Association have stated that the plaque buildup in the arteries that leads to heart disease can also have a negative impact on the brain.

Philip B. Gorelick is a medical doctor and the director of the Center for Stroke Research at University of Illinois College of Medicine. He has stated that the brain and heart are linked by the arteries that supply nutrients, oxygen and blood. If plaque builds up in the arteries and causes them to harden, then the brain and heart will be deprived of blood.

Fortunately, there are a number of delicious foods that can protect your cranium and ticker.

1.) Fish

There have been studies done to confirm that eating one or two four ounce servings of rainbow trout, salmon, sardines or mackerel can reduce your risk of developing heart disease by 36 percent. There was another study done that followed 80,000 women over the course of 14 years. The study found that the women who ate fish twice a week were 51 percent less likely to have a thrombotic stroke than women who consumed fish less than once a month. Clogged arteries are the cause of a thrombotic stroke. According to Ralph Felder, a medical doctor who wrote The Bonus Years Diet, the omega 3 fatty acids in fish help reduce inflammation in the arteries. This keeps blood flowing to the brain.

2.) Have A Glass of Red Wine

Red wine has polyphenols, which have been shown to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol as well as prevent blood clot formation. Resveratrol, which is one type of polyphenol, can increase blood circulation to the brain, which can lower the risk of stroke. Even though there are a number of health benefits that can be reaped from drinking wine, you do not need to start drinking it if you do not currently consume alcoholic beverages.

3.) Increase Your Produce Consumption

A study published in the Journal Circulation showed that hypertensive patients could improve their blood circulation and lower their blood pressure by eating more fruits and vegetables. There was another study performed on people who were over the age of 65. The study showed that the subjects who ate three servings of vegetables per day performed better on cognitive tests than those who consumed few or no vegetables. Potassium, which is a nutrient found in baked potatoes, artichokes and bananas, can help prevent the walls in the arteries from thickening. This will lower blood pressure.

Dry-heaving, or retching, is one of things that can happen when you are stressed. This often indicates anxiety. Anxiety and stress can also trigger a condition called cyclic vomiting syndrome. Cyclic vomiting syndrome is a condition that occurs when a person experiences vomiting and nausea that lasts for a long time. In many cases, the vomiting and nausea occurs at the same time every day. Resting and drinking plenty of water are two ways that you can help manage dry heaves or vomiting. You should also find practical ways to reduce your stress, such as meditating or walking.

2.) Hair Loss

Stress is among the many things that can cause hair loss. Alopecia areata is one of the conditions that can trigger stress-induced hair loss. This is an autoimmune disorder where the white blood cells mistakenly attach the hair follicles. Telogen effluvium is another hair loss condition that is triggered by stress. This condition can cause a person to suddenly lose up to 70 percent of his or her hair. Telogen effluvium can cause hair loss months after a stressful event is over, which is why it can sometimes be hard to link to stress. The American Osteopathic College of Dermatology has stated that this problem usually goes away on its own.

3.) Nosebleeds

Experts are currently debating about whether stress really triggers nosebleeds. However, there have been studies done that showed some people can experience nosebleeds when they are in stressful situations. A slideshow that was done in 2001 by the British Medical Journal suggested that the blood pressure spike that occurs when you are stressed out can cause your nose to bleed. Drinking hibiscus tea can help lower your blood pressure.

4.) Memory Loss

If you find that you cannot remember what you discussed during a meeting, then it could be a sign of a shrunken hippocampus. Your short-term memory is controlled by your hippocampus. According to Jeffrey Rossman, who is the director of life management at Canyon Ranch in Lenox, Massachusetts and a psychologist, chronic stress can expose your hippocampus to high levels of cortisol. Cortisol is known as the stress hormone. The best way to get your memory back is to deal with the causes of your stress. You can write down importation information until you are able to do that.

5.) A Weakened Immune System

Weakened immunity is one of the most noticeable effects of stress. Stress causes the body to release catecholamines. These hormones assist in regulating the immune system. However, prolonged release of cathecholamines can actually interfere with their ability to regulate the immune system. Chronic stress can also cause your thymus gland to shrink. That is the gland that produces white blood cells. Additionally, stress damages your telomeres. Telomeres assist in immune cell reproduction.

6.) Excessive Sweating

You probably already know that stress can cause you to sweat more. However, there are some people who suffer from a condition that causes excessive sweating called hyperhidrosis. Meditation and yoga can help you cope with stress-relates sweating. If you think that you have hyperhidrosis, then you should consult with a doctor who specializes in this condition. Last fall, there was a study published in PLOS One that showed that stress sweat can possibly cause others around you to become stressed.

Because many people live a fast-paced lifestyle and have a very hectic schedule, they are forced to eat quick meals on the go. Today’s packaged meals are lacking in essential nutrients. They are also packed with processed chemicals. If you constantly eat the wrong types of food, then you may become lethargic, anxious and grouchy.

It is also important to note that a diet that is lacking in essential “happy” nutrients can cause us to gain weight. You are much more likely to overindulge on high-calorie foods when you are feeling stressed. This is how the never-ending unhappiness cycle goes: You eat bad foods, then you feel bad after you eat them. You feel so bad that you start eating worse, and then you feel even worse than you felt before.

Fortunately, you can shrink your belly and boost your spirits by eating brain foods. Yes, feeding your brain the right foods can boost your energy, improve your mood and keep you from reaching for the chip bag. Below are 11 foods that contain the essential nutrients that keep your brain and body healthy.

1.) Mussels
Mussels are very high in Vitamin B12, which happens to be a nutrient that many of us are lacking. Vitamin B12 helps insulate brain cells. This not only helps boost mood, but it also helps keep your brain sharp. Mussels also have small amount of selenium, zinc and iodine, which are nutrients that support thyroid health. What is another benefit that can be reaped from eating mussels? Mussels are low in fat and calories, but they contain a large amount of protein. That is why mussels are one of the healthiest seafood options that you can find.

2.) Swiss Chard
This leafy green is rich in magnesium. This nutrient helps increase energy levels. There was a 2009 study published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry that showed that increasing one’s intake of magnesium can help reduce depression. Swiss Chard is not the only food that is rich in magnesium. Halibut, soybeans and spinach are some of the other foods that are an excellent source of this nutrient.

3.) Blue Potatoes
Blue potatoes are hard to find in the supermarket, but you should definitely look for them the next time that you go to the farmer’s market. Anthocyanins are antioxidants that give the blue spuds their color. Anthocyanins help reduce the inflammation that can decrease one’s mood. They also help boost short-term memory. Additionally, the skin from the blue spuds are rich in iodine, which is a nutrient that keeps your thyroid healthy. Black beans, egg plants and berries are examples of other foods that are rich in anthocyanins.

4.) Grass-Fed Beef
Grass-fed animals have higher levels of conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, in their bodies. CLA is a happy fat that blasts belly fat and reduces stress hormones. Grass-fat beef is also low in fat, but contains more omega 3 fatty acids than grain-fed beef. Want another great grass fed option? Try lamb. Lamb is packed with iron, which is a nutrient that helps keep the mood stable.

5.) Dark Chocolate
The cocoa from chocolate improves blood flow to your brain and gives you an instant boost in concentration and mood. However, snickers do not count. Cocoa is the ingredient that is good for your body. Pure dark chocolate is your best choice. You should not overdo a good thing. There is a study that was recently published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology that said that you only need to eat a few ounces of pure dark chocolate per day.

6.) Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the best plant-based sources of tryptophan. Tryptophan helps create serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that helps regulate mood. Asparagus also contains folate. Studies have shown that 50 percent of depressed people have low folate levels. Eggs, turkey and tuna are other sources of tryptophan.

7.) Greek Yogurt
Greek yogurt has more calcium than regular yogurt or milk. Calcium helps your brain release those feel-good neurotransmitters. People who do not get adequate amounts of calcium are prone to irritability, anxiety, slow thinking, impaired memory and depression. Greek yogurt is also abundant in protein.

8.) Honey
Honey has kaempferol and quercetin, which are two compounds that keep the brain healthy, reduce inflammation and ward off depression. Additionally, honey does not raise your blood sugar as much as regular sugar does. You should add some honey to a bowl of oatmeal or a cup of tea. However, you should not overdo it. Honey contains 64 calories and 17 grams of sugar per tablespoon.

9.) Cherry Tomatoes
Tomatoes are abundant in lycopene, which is a nutrient that fights the inflammation that causes depression. It also helps protect your brain. Lycopene is in the skin of the tomato, so you should put some cherry tomatoes in your salad instead of slicing one tomato. You can also add olive oil to your tomatoes. Olive oil can help increase the body’s absorption of lycopene. You should also try organic tomatoes because they have more lycopene.

10.) Coconut
Coconut is filled with medium-chain triglycerides. Those fats improve your mood and brain health. You can put some coconut shavings in your oatmeal or yogurt. You can also put some coconut shavings in your smoothie.

11.) EggsEggs are filled with B vitamins, iodine, zinc, omega 3 fatty acids. All of those nutrients help boost mood. They are also high in protein, which can give you energy and keep you feeling full longer. Furthermore, a study that was done in 2008 showed that people who ate two eggs for breakfast lost a lot more weight than people who ate a bagel for breakfast.

Some foods, like tea, spinach, and blueberries, get all the praise for their antioxidant properties, but they’re not the only ones that bring a high number of antioxidants to the table. Registered dietician Alexandra Caspero, owner of Delicious-Knowledge.com, did some research and came up with 10 lesser-known healthy superfoods.

Cocoa powder

This is the part of the cacao bean which is left once the fatty cocoa butter is removed. Up to 10% of a portion of cocoa powder consists of flavonoids, which help protect against strokes and heart attacks. Cocoa powder also contains calcium and magnesium. You can add some to your diet by including a small amount in savory sauces or chili or by making a Mexican mole sauce.

Raisins

The little boxes of dried grapes so common in lunchboxes may be healthier than suspected. All types of raisins contain boron, necessary for healthy bones. Dark raisins are also full of energy-boosting anthocyanins. Try including some in your oatmeal or cereal, or just eat them plain.

Kidney beans

You might know these as red beans or chili beans, but whatever you call them, they’re a wonderful addition to a healthy diet. A quarter cup of kidney beans contains over 6000 antioxidants, not to mention loads of protein and a full three grams of fiber. You can try mashing them and mixing them into ground beef or turkey for burgers or meat loaf. Bean soups and red beans and rice are also good ways to get a serving of kidney beans.

Barley

Even though it’s often overlooked, barley is full of nutrients and incredibly versatile in cooking. Barley contains fiber to help lower cholesterol, not to mention folate, manganese, and molybdenum. It can be used in place of rice in a risotto, added to soups, or sprinkled on salads for texture.

Watercress

The antioxidants in this dark leafy green can help gym-goers recover from their workouts more quickly by neutralize the free radicals which can damage DNA, according to a recent study in the British Journal of Nutrition. There are only four calories in an entire cup of watercress, but it contains lutein and zexanthin, which keep the eyes healthy, as well as vitamins A, C, and K. Watercress has a light peppery flavor and can be substituted for lettuce in salads and sandwiches.

Sorghum

Sorghum resembles wheat berries in texture and flavor, but the grain is gluten free. It contains a balance of carbohydrates and protein which make it a reliable energy source. Sorghum is full of B-complex vitamins and helps lower cholesterol. It can be used in place of bulgur wheat in dishes like tabbouleh. The syrup can also be used as a substitute for honey.

Ginger root

Nine chemicals in ginger are known to help improve digestive health. Ginger can also ease muscles sore from exertion. It has a spicy, citrusy flavor. Ginger is common in Asian cuisine, but the flavor pairs well with many different dishes.

Coffee

Coffee is the most common source of antioxidants for most Americans. Whether it’s regular or decaf, coffee contains many antioxidants, particularly chlorogenic acid, which helps neutralize bad cholesterol.

Eggs

In spite of the scaremongering, eggs do not raise the risk of heart problems. In fact, eggs contain more nutrients per calorie than any other food. They also provide choline, which helps the body burn fat. As long as you don’t cook them in unhealthy fat, eggs in any form can be part of a healthy diet.

Red wine has long been touted as beneficial to cardiovascular health, but a research study from the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona has found that non-alcoholic red wine may actually have stronger effects.

The study involved 67 men who have either diabetes or at least three cardiovascular risk factors such as family history, obesity, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. After a two week detox period, each man was asked to spend four weeks drinking prescribed amounts of either non-alcoholic red wine, regular red wine, or gin. After the four weeks were up, the men switched to a different beverage for the next four weeks, and finally finished with four weeks of the third beverage.

Researchers found that the non-alcoholic red wine lowered blood pressure significantly. The average drop was 6mmHg for systolic pressure and 2mmHg for diastolic pressure. This represents a risk reduction of up to 20% for stroke and 14% for heart disease. The study did not show significant effects from alcoholic red wine or gin.

Researcher Dr. Ramon Estruch, a senior consultant in the Hospital Clinic’s internal medicine department, believes these results are evidence that it is the antioxidant polyphenols in wine rather than the alcohol which cause the beneficial cardiovascular effects. In fact, the alcohol may lower the beneficial effects of the polyphenols.

Cardiologist Dr. Suzanne Steinbaum, director of Women and Heart Disease at New York City’s Lenox Hill Hospital, welcomes the results because the non-alcoholic wine would be a way for people who can’t or don’t want to drink alcohol to get the beneficial polyphenol effects. “It’s not so much the alcohol as it is the polyphenols in wine,” said Steinbaum, who did not participate in the study.

However, Mayo Clinic cardiologist Dr. Sharonne Hayes thinks the study’s small size and lack of a control group may mean the results are skewed. This research, she explained, generated a good hypothesis to use as a point from which to start new research, but that no conclusions should be drawn just yet. She points to the lack of a detox period between each of the four week beverage-drinking periods as a potential flaw in the research. It is well-accepted that when a person who consumes even moderate amounts of alcohol stops drinking, their blood pressure will rise. The study participants could have had higher blood pressure than they normally do at the beginning of the research, which could create misleading results regarding non-alcoholic wine’s ability to lower blood pressure.

Hayes also pointed out that many previous studies have shown that alcohol is more likely the beneficial substance than polyphenols.

The Barcelona study was published in “Circulation Research” online on September 6th.

The most common causes of death for men of middle age and older are all the usual suspects--cancer, stroke, heart disease, Alzheimer’s, respiratory disease, injuries, and suicide. Fortunately, some minor changes to bad habits can reduce the chances of dying of one of these perils.

Sun Overexposure

Men are two times more likely than women to develop fatal skin cancer. 60% of the cases of the deadliest skin cancer, melanoma, are found in white males of age 50 and older. Unfortunately, less than half of adult men protect themselves with shade, sunscreen, or protective clothing, as opposed to 65% of adult women.

Nor are men overexposed to sun likely to have their skin tumors found and treated early; a 2001 Academy of American Dermatology study found that men middle aged and above are less likely than other demographics to see a dermatologist or examine their own skin for signs of tumors. Men over 65, however, have a higher chance of having skin tumors found by a physician, possibly because older people have more medical appointments in general.

Excess Time Sitting Down with Electronics

Psychologists have not yet worked out whether Internet addiction is a valid diagnosis, but it is true that time which could be devoted to healthy activities like social interaction, walking, and other forms of exercise is instead being spent staring at computer monitors, laptops, smartphones, televisions, and video games. Physical social isolation has been linked to an increase in the risk for depression and dementia.

A 2011 study in JAMA found that on average, Americans spend five hours watching television each day, and that doesn’t account for time spent seated at computers. Extended sitting over a long period is associated with obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. In fact, a 2012 Australian study found that adults 45 and older who spent 11 hours or more per day seated had a 40% increase in their risk of death.

Depression

In 2009, 79% of all suicides were men. Men over age 65 commit suicide seven times more frequently than do women in the same age group. Social isolation, common in the elderly, is often a key cause.

More than 60% of people who commit suicide have major depression. Men tend to equate depression with ordinary sadness or grief, so they fail to recognize the warning signs such as fatigue, trouble concentrating or thinking clearly, agitation, and changes in sleep patterns.

The National Institute of Mental Health has found that depression can be successfully treated no matter the age of the patient.

Being Single

Many studies have shown that married men, particularly of middle age, are healthier than their unmarried peers. One theory is that marriage tends to increase a man’s overall social circle, which decreases stress and depression which can cause chronic ailments.

Unmarried men may also have less healthy habits than married men, such as poor eating and rare medical checkups.

However, men who marry after age 25 tend to have better health than those who marry at a younger age, and staying in a strained marriage actually causes poorer overall health than does singlehood.

Poor Diet

Men on the younger side of middle age are likely to eat an excess of junk food and red meat, which leads to common ailments like high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Older men may fail to prepare adequate meals for themselves and wind up suffering malnutrition.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found in 2010 that 35.5% of men are obese, compared to 27.5% in 2000.

Smoking

The negative effects of smoking tend to be worse in older people. They are likely to be heavier smokers and to have smoked for longer, which means their lungs have sustained more damage. 90% of all cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder, the fourth leading cause of death in men, are caused by smoking, as are 80 to 90% of lung cancer cases. Men over 65 who smoke double their chances of fatal stroke.

Quitting shows immediate results, no matter the person’s age. The risks of lung disease, stroke, and cancer drop immediately, and the risk of heart disease is cut in half after only one year.

Driving Errors

Males in their 50s and 60s are twice as likely to die in car accidents as their female peers. Injuries, including car accidents, are the leading cause of death for men in the 40 to 44 age group, third most common cause in men aged 45 to 64, and eighth most common in men 65 and older.

The car accident causes tend to be avoidable, such as running red lights and stop signs, driving over the speed limit, and falling asleep at the wheel.

It seems like a horror story hearkening back to legends of the “Blood Countess” Elizabeth Bathory, who reportedly bathed in the blood of slain maidens to keep her youthful complexion, but rumors persist that late North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il would inject himself with the blood of young people (presumably donated blood from still-living donors) to slow his aging process.

Surprisingly, scientists have found hints that Countess Bathory and Kim Jong Il may have been onto something. Researcher Saul Villeda of Stanford University presented a study done on mice to the annual meeting of the Society for Neuroscience in New Orleans. His results indicate that an older mouse injected with the blood of a younger mouse shows a reversal of some signs of aging. In fact, the older mice who received the treatment showed greater cognitive and memory abilities than did untreated mice of similar age.

Villeda's research involved connecting the circulatory systems of two mice by a technique known as heterochronic parabiosis, which is typically used to study immune systems. After the blood of the old mice and young mice had mixed, Villeda found that the older mice showed distinct signs of a slowdown or even a small reversal in the aging process. The brains showed an increase in stem cells, and the connections between neurons had increased by 20%. "One of the main things that changes with ageing are these connections, there are a lot less of them as we get older," Villeda explained. "If you have less connections, neurons aren't communicating, all of a sudden you have [problems] in learning and memory."

This new study, not yet published in a peer-reviewed journal, is a follow-up to a study Villeda and his colleagues published last year in Nature. The earlier study showed that young mice exposed to old blood showed brain deterioration, and old mice exposed to young blood showed an increased stem cell count. In the new study, Villeda and his team also tested the mice’s behavior.

Villeda injected small amounts of blood plasma, the liquid portion of blood, from two-month-old mice into 18-month-old mice eight times over the course of a month. The amount of plasma used was approximately 5% of a mouse’s total blood volume. Villeda then had the mice solve a water maze, an activity in which mice have to remember the location of a platform. Untreated older mice made mistakes as they attempted to solve the maze, such as swimming down blind alleys. Mice who had received the young plasma, however, often found the platform on their first try and performed similarly to mice four to six months of age.

Villeda thinks the plasma may have helped improve the older mice’s brain power by replenishing chemical factors which decrease during normal aging. "All of a sudden you have all of these plasticity and learning and memory-related genes that are coming back,” he said.

Much more research will be required before these findings can help develop an effective anti-aging treatment for humans, particularly because blood contains thousands of chemical factors and researchers were unsure of which ones helped rejuvenate the older mice. Villeda, however, believes that treatments based on factors found in youthful blood may eventually be able to help middle-aged people prevent some of the worst effects of age-related deterioration, possibly even Alzheimer's disease.

Andrew Randall, a professor of applied neurophysiology at Exeter and Bristol Universities, thinks these findings show potential for future treatments. “Temporarily plumbing teenagers' blood supplies into those of their great-grandparents does not seem a particularly feasible future therapy for cognitive decline in aging,” he said. “Instead this fascinating work suggests there may be significant benefit in working out what the 'good stuff' is in the high octane young blood, so that we can provide just those key components to the elderly."

University College London professor of regenerative medicine bioprocessing Chris Mason agrees. "Even if the finding leads only to a drug that prevents, rather than reverses the normal effects of ageing on the brain, the impact upon future generations will be substantial – potentially outweighing other wonder drugs such as penicillin."

Villeda says the results of his research have changed his opinion on how anti-aging treatments might be developed. "Do I think that giving young blood could have an effect on a human? I'm thinking more and more that it might," he said. "I did not, for sure, three years ago."

1. Outright Lie: DHEA is a dangerous “anabolic steroid drug.”

In 2007, a campaign of lies about DHEA was spread in the halls of Congress. Printed material distributed by lobbyists for Big Pharma claimed that DHEA was a dangerous “anabolic steroid drug” and a law was introduced that would make DHEA available by prescription only. Fortunately, due to the activism of many Americans for freedom to take dietary supplements, the law failed to pass.[i]

The claims were scientifically false and intentional lies. According to the conservative Council for Responsible Nutrition, “The proposition that DHEA is any way comparable to illegal anabolic steroids is invalid and unfounded.”

They continued: “DHEA is not an anabolic steroid, its use is not associated with the anabolic and side effects that accompany anabolic steroid abuse, and the potential for DHEA abuse by athletes is remote.” [ii]

The question is, why is Big Pharma so threatened by DHEA that it would go to all this trouble and expense to try to outlaw it? No one really knows. But could it be that taking DHEA helps men stay so young, healthy, sexy and yes, even better looking that it threatens the profits of the “sickness industry?”

The TRUTH is that DHEA is not a dangerous steroid and can help many men stay active and virile as they age. [More]

Scientists have produced four baby monkeys who each have three biological parents.

They used an IVF procedure designed to stop the spread of incurable inherited diseases.

Scientists believe the breakthrough could lead to the first genetically engineered children within a few years.

Revolutionary: Twins Mito and Tracker are two of the monkeys who were born using an IVF technique that creates babies with three biological parents. They were named after a dye called Mitotracker used in the procedure

It has provoked an ethical storm, however. Critics say it is a step towards an era of hybrid children and warn that it erodes the sanctity of life.

The technique is intended to help women who carry genetic diseases. It involves transferring healthy DNA from the mother’s egg cell into an egg donated by another woman.

Children conceived by the technique would inherit DNA from three sources - their mother, the donor and their father.

The American team who produced the macaque monkeys - named Mito, Tracker, Spindler and Spindy - say the technique could be used to eradicate potentially fatal forms of inherited epilepsy, blindness and heart disease.

The diseases, which affect some 150 UK babies a year, are caused by mutations in the mitochondrial DNA which is passed down from mothers to children.

Mitochondria are sausage- shaped ‘power packs’ that float around inside cells, converting food into energy that the body can use. Each contains a tiny

strand of DNA, carrying just 37 of the 20,000 or so human genes. The rest are in the DNA in the cell’s nucleus.

Spindler is another of the four monkeys who appear healthy after they were conceived using the new technique

Mitochondrial DNA can only be passed on via mothers’ eggs, not through sperm.

Doctors have identified around 50 diseases caused by mutations of this DNA - some of which kill before adulthood. Symptoms include muscle weakness, dementia, blindness, hearing loss and heart and kidney problems.

The U.S. experiment, reported today in the journal Nature, involved researchers at the Oregon National Primate Research Centre. They took an egg cell

from a mother carrying a mitochondrial disease and removed its nuclear DNA. This was then transferred into a second, healthy egg, whose own nuclear DNA had been removed.

The resulting ‘hybrid’ eggs contained nuclear DNA from the mother and fully-functioning mitochondrial DNA from the donor, and produced apparently healthy baby monkeys.

Such a process alters the DNA inherited by future generations, however - an idea that has long worried ethicists - although mitochondrial DNA affects only how cells convert food into energy, so children would inherit physical characteristics from their real mother’s nuclear DNA.

Josephine Quintavalle, of the campaign group Comment on Reproductive Ethics, said: ‘This is genetic engineering.

‘We should avoid at all costs interfering in the pattern of reproduction that has evolved

over millions of years. The objective is to stop mitochondrial diseases in the next generation - but it would be absurd if it unleashed something worse in generations to come.’

Stephen Green, director of pressure group Christian Voice, said he had concerns that scientists were going ‘too far, too fast’ and ‘playing God’.

He said: ‘These things are always done with the best of intentions but we have to think whether this will lead to any unintended consequences. When the child finds out they have two mummies, how will they feel?

‘We have to have a lot of sympathy for those with inherited conditions but we need to be very careful before we start interfering with nature.

‘There’s a thought that because scientists can do something they always want to do it and that’s not necessarily the right way’. But

Professor Sir Ian Wilmut, of the MRC Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Edinburgh University and leader of the team that cloned Dolly the sheep, said: ‘This demonstrates an exciting new route to therapy for diseases such as myopathy, in which muscle fibres do not function properly.

‘It also seems likely that mitochondrial malfunction predisposes patients to diseases such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and stroke.’

Last year Newcastle University researchers created ten human embryos using a similar technique. They were destroyed after six days because current UK law says they cannot be kept longer than 14 days.

But the new Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act, which comes into effect on October 1, could open the door for a change in the rules.

NEWS – A recent study in a major nutritional journal notes a “remarkable increase in chronic kidney disease” plus a “remarkable increase in hypertension,” and dramatically rising rates of obesity and diabetes associated with the rise in fructose-filled foods and drinks. The authors present evidence that the unique ability of fructose (but not other sugars) to increase uric acid may be driving these increases. High levels of uric acid also increase risk of gout. See The Gout Report in this issue t for more information about how you can reduce your risk of gout and other uric-acid-related diseases.ACTION — If you must drink soda, consider switching to one made with cane sugar. (Diet sodas may also trigger health problems.) Switching to refreshing herb teas and water is an even better option. You can make your own healthy “soda” with a small amount of pure fruit juice or fruit juice concentrate and soda water. Check labels and avoid all drinks and foods made with fructose corn syrup.Johnson RJ, Segal, MS, et al. Potential role of sugar (fructose) in the epidemic of hypertension, obesity and the metabolic syndrome, diabetes, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007:86:899-906Vitamin D3 May Extend Life Span by 5 Years!NEWS — The good news about the sunshine vitamin just keeps getting better. Mounting scientific evidence links higher daily intake (over 1,000 — 2,000 IU) of vitamin D3 with dramatically reduced levels of pain, inflammation, cancer, MS, and even colds and flus. Now, British and American researchers say it may extend your life by up to five years, based on the measurement of telomere length in over 2,000 female twin pairs.ACTION — Take a supplement of 1,000-2,000 IU of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) daily. Do not rely on vitamin D2 (eregocalciferol) in milk and most multivitamins. Supplements of vitamin D2 are not used by the body in the same way as sunshine and are four times less effective than vitamin D3. Fifteen minutes of sunshine a day (without sunscreen) provides your body with natural vitamin D3.

NEWS — Researchers at Harvard Medical School and other institutions found compelling evidence that drinking four or more cups of coffee a day dramatically reduces the risk of gout for men. The risk of gout was 40 percent lower for men who drank 4 to 5 cups a day and 59 percent lower for men who drank 6 or more cups a day. Tea did not reduce risk of gout. The lead researcher, Dr. Choi, speculates that the mechanism of action may be the antioxidant action of phenol chlorogenic acid in coffee.

In a 2004 study, the same researchers found that beer and liquor raised serum uric acid levels, while moderate (1-2 glasses daily) wine drinking did not.

ACTION — If you have no health problems from drinking four cups of coffee a day — enjoy! (Avoid the new, sweetened coffee drinks. They have high levels of fructose.) If coffee gives you the jitters, prevents you from sleeping, or you just don’t like it, read the The Gout Report in this issue and discover easy, natural ways to lower your levels of uric acid—without drinking coffee!

There appears to be an exciting breakthrough with an experimental drug for Alzheimer’s disease.

I am thrilled to report to you that for the first time, there’s an experimental drug that is showing the promise of halting the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by taking a new approach: Breaking up the protein tangles that clog victims’ brains.

Researchers in Boston found that living until you are a 100 isn’t all that hard. It’s not in your genes—it’s in your lifestyle. Avoiding obesity, inactivity, high blood pressure and not smoking were the keys to living a long and healthy life. A great deal of research points to a healthy diet high in antioxidants, grapes, berries, apples, vegetables and whole grains as the way to keep blood pressure normal and avoid obesity. Longevity researchers have found that the special polyphenols resveratrol and OPCs in red wine, red wine extract, grape skins, and seeds support healthy heart function and may extend lifespan. Recent research also found that one third of people still may live to 100 even with age-related diseases.

ACTION: Drink one glass of red wine daily or take a red wine extract high in OPCs from grape seed and skins, plus resveratrol. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Exercise daily. Stop smoking.

A cocktail of three flu viruses are reported to have mutated into a single pneumonic plague, which it is believed may be far more dangerous than swine flu. The death toll has reached 189 and more than 1 million people have been infected, most of them in the nine regions of Western Ukraine.

President of Ukraine Viktor Yushchenko has called in the World Health Organisation and a team of nine specialists are carrying out tests in Kiev and Lviv to identify the virus. Samples have been sent to London for analysis.

“Vets in the US state of Iowa said Wednesday that a household cat had tested positive for swine flu — the first known case in the world of the new pandemic strain spreading to the feline population.

“The domestic shorthair, a 13-year-old castrated male, apparently caught A(H1N1) off its owners — two of the three members of the family had previously contracted the deadly virus.

“This is the first cat that we are aware of with the pandemic H1N1,” said Brett Sponseller,an assistant professor of veterinarian microbiology who helped treat the pet at Iowa State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine.”

According to a new study conducted by Chun Chao, Ph.D., a research scientist at Kaiser Permanente in the October issue of Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, an antioxidant contained in red wine called resveratrol may provide protection against lung cancer, told DOTmed News.

According to Dr. Chao’s research the most substantial risk reduction was indicated among smokers who drank one to two glasses of red wine per day. In percentage terms Chao’s study revealed a 60 percent reduction in lung cancer risk in the men included in the study. The study also revealed that men who smoke increased their risk of lung cancer by 10 percent, while red wine’s protective benefit for those in this group is roughly half that of non smokers.

Dr. Chao’s study is another step in proving the health benefits of resveratrol and its potential as a powerful cancer fighter.

Recent studies on mice that were given resveratrol supplements, showed the compound retarded lung cancer growth and also induced lung cancer cells to commit apoptosis. Apoptosis refers to cancer cells that are induced to self-destruct. The new biological drugs, like Velcade for multiple myeloma, are being engineered to perform this critical function.

Many men who take the “new-generation” of antidepressants like Prozac (SSRIs) know first hand that they lower libido and increase impotence. Yet, that’s what their doctor told them to take for depression. And they felt better, so they kept taking them—even though there were serious side effects like impotence and loss of sex drive. Now, researchers who were able to review research trials that were never published by the pharmaceutical companies say that people feel just as good on placebo as they do on Prozac.[1]

Forty million people take Prozac and other similar drugs to beat the blues. They spend tens of billions of dollars for relief from depression. The latest research shows that placebo pills worked just as well. Dr. I. Kirsch and his research team had access to data that had not been previously published by requesting all trials through the Freedom of Information Act.

Dr. Kirsch, the lead author of the review, says, “Given these results, there seems little reason to prescribe antidepressant medication to any but the most severely depressed patients, unless alternative treatments have failed.”[2]

Scientists at New York’s Mount Sinai School of Medicine this past week unveiled lab-made human antibodies that can disable several types of influenza, including highly-lethal H5N1 bird flu and the “Spanish Flu” strain that killed tens of millions in 1918.

Tested in mice, the antibodies work by binding to a previously obscure structure in the flu virus which, when blocked, sabotages the pathogen’s ability to enter the cell it is trying to infect, according to the study.

Because this structure — described by one scientist as a “viral Achilles’ heel” — is genetically stable and has resisted mutation over time, the antibodies are effective against many different strains.

The breakthrough “holds considerable promise for further development into a medical tool to treat and prevent seasonal as well as pandemic influenza,” said Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, which helped fund the study.

Researchers in Finland found that men who use NSAIDS such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen had twice as much erectile dysfunction as men who did not use NSAIDs. The authors estimate that NSAIDs could be linked to nearly 17% of all erectile dysfunction. (See article “Men: Are Your Medications Making You Impotent?”)

ACTION — Avoid NSAIDs and use natural anti-inflammatory and pain supplements such as boswellia, ginger, turmeric, vitamin D3, hops extract. Change your diet to include more anti-inflammatory foods such as salmon, olive oil and fresh fruits and vegetables. Reduce your risk of erectile dysfunction by supporting healthy vascular health with resveratrol, red wine extract, grape seed extract and other antioxidants. Caution: If you have been prescribed aspirin for heart disease, discuss with your doctor before stopping aspirin.

LONDON – Health experts say extraordinary measures against swine flu — most notably quarantines imposed by China, where entire planeloads of passengers were isolated if one traveler had symptoms — have failed to contain the disease.

Despite initially declaring success, Beijing now acknowledges its swine flu outbreak is much larger than official numbers show.

In a dramatic breakthrough that could affect millions of lives, scientists have been able to show for the first time that the body’s immune defenses can destroy the common cold virus after it has actually invaded the inner sanctum of a human cell, a feat that was believed until now to be impossible.

The discovery opens the door to the development of a new class of antiviral drugs that work by enhancing this natural virus-killing machinery of the cell. Scientists believe the first clinical trials of new drugs based on the findings could begin within two to five years.

The researchers said that many other viruses responsible for a range of diseases could also be targeted by the new approach. They include the norovirus, which causes winter vomiting, and rotavirus, which results in severe diarrhea and kills thousands of children in developing countries.

Observational studies had revealed that reducing our exposure to the sunshine vitamin—vitamin D—increased risk of cancer. Now a human intervention trial of over 1,000 postmenopausal women reported in the June 8, 2007, online edition of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that women who took at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 and 1,500 mg of calcium daily for four years had a 60% reduction in breast cancer. Calcium alone had no effect on cancer. If the first year was washed out (to account for women who already had cancer) the reduction of risk was an astonishing 77%. That means that out of 100 women who would have gotten cancer, 77 won’t. Researchers said the study was applicable to other forms of cancer. If every person in America took at least 1000 IU of vitamin D3….the implications are enormous.

Action: Take at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily for life. Start now. Look for a full report on vitamin D3 in next month’s issue of Natural Health News Report.

MRSA SUPERBUG KILLS MORE PEOPLE THAN AIDS

Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus has been the scourge of hospitals for years and now a different and even deadlier strain is out in the community causing flesh- eating skin infections and death. A study published in the October, 2007, Journal of the American Medical Association found MRSA causing nearly 100,000 infections and about 19,000 deaths—more than died from AIDS.

Action: Wash your hands frequently. Don’t share personal items such as razors. If you are infected, consider alternative therapies such as topical essential oils and French clay in addition to prescription medication. Take natural remedies to support your immune system and prevent infection.

ANTIBIOTICS FAIL SINUS SUFFERERS

Perhaps this is not news to you after several rounds of antibiotics that didn’t help your sinus infection. A new study published in the December, 2007, Journal of the American Medical found that antibiotics work no better against sinus infections than a placebo. In addition, antibiotics may cause harm by increasing your resistance to medications. Nasal steroid spray also had the same results as a placebo. Antibiotics were recently found to be ineffective against ear infections and bronchitis as well.

Action: Use natural remedies that clear sinus infections.

ANTI-AGING ADVANCES WITH ALPHA LIPOIC ACID

Alpha lipoic acid turns on the basic cellular defenses of the body, including some that naurally decline with age. It restores glutathione, a powerful cellular antioxidant, and acts as a powerful anti-aging agent, reports researchers at Oregon State University in May, 2007.

Action: Take alpha lipoic acid supplement.

FRUCTOSE CORN SYRUP IN SODAS AND FOOD IMPLICATED IN CHRONIC DISEASES AND OBESITY

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published evidence in the October, 2007, issue that fructose increases obesity, uric acid, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes, metabolic syndrome and other chronic diseases. Our livers do not metabolize high fructose levels well.

TOP BOOK OF 2007

Overtreated

Why Too Much Medicine is Making Us Sicker and Poorer

By Shannon Brownlee.

TOP HEALTH STORY TO WATCH IN 2008

Growing public awareness of the dangers of over-the-counter and prescription medications and the unhealthy influence of drug companies over university research, peer-reviewed medical journals and the FDA.

NEWS — German researchers discovered that heart attacks, cardiac arrests, episodes of irregular heartbeat and activation of implanted defibrillators can triple for people watching major sports events such as world soccer and the Super Bowl.

ACTION – Drink red wine, nibble on grapes or take a supplement high in resveratrol before you start eating. Avoid high-fat snacks. Resveratrol is known to help prevent damage from heart attacks in laboratory animals. If you have a heart condition, keep aspirin and medications handy. Chew an aspirin if you suspect you are having a heart attack and don’t delay getting to the hospital in order to watch the game. They probably have TV in the emergency room.

NEGATIVE ANTIDEPRESSANT

STUDIES NEVER PUBLISHED

NEWS—The New England Journal of Medicine published a study showing that nearly a third of antidepressant drug studies are never published and nearly all of them showed that the anti-depressant didn’t work. In studies that were published, results were rewritten to make the drug seem more effective than it really is. He found that 37 out of 38 positive studies were published.

ACTION—If you are taking antidepressant medications, ask your doctor about this article. Some types of antidepressants are much more effective than others. Ask your doctor about some of the natural therapies for depression, including sunshine, vitamin D3, and other supplements.

SUNSCREENS CAN BE HARMFUL TO SKIN

NEWS — A research team led by chemists at the University of California, Riverside, found that sunscreen chemicals can cause oxidative damage to skin if not used correctly. After a short period of time, sunscreen chemicals are absorbed into the skin allowing UV radiation to oxidize surface skin molecules. Other researchers are exploring the use of natural antioxidants such as resveratrol to prevent skin damage. See future issues of Natural Health News Report for more news about antioxidant skin protection.

ACTION — If you are going to be out in the sun for long periods of time, cover up with clothing or reapply sunscreen at least every two hours. Taking an anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory dietary supplement may help reduce skin damage.

A new blood screening technique has turned up antibodies with the ability to neutralize many strains of the AIDS virus, a discovery that might help create a long- sought vaccine against the deadly disease.

The finding, published today in the journal Science is the result of an global effort by AIDS researchers using new methods developed by two companies, Monogram Biosciences, a unit of Laboratory Corp. of America Holdings, and closely held Theraclone Sciences of Seattle. Scientists searched the blood of HIV-infected people who were symptom-free for three years.

There’s a new study that suggests drinking a single large glass of wine or a tanker of beer a day may increase the risk of developing bowel cancer by around 10%.

The same study also suggests drinking around two large tankers of beer or about two large glasses of wine may increase the risk of bowel cancer by as much as 25%.

According to statistics about 35,000 new cases of bowel cancer are being diagnosed every year in Great Britain, and almost 16,100 people die from this virulent form of cancer.

Meanwhile, almost 480,000 people across 10 European countries were questioned about their drinking habits as part of the ongoing European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) study.

That research is funded by Cancer Research UK, the Medical Research Council and other European agencies.

The findings on bowel cancer, published online in the International Journal of Cancer, found that people who drank 15 grams of alcohol a day – equivalent to about two units – had around a 10% increased risk of bowel cancer.

Those who drank more than 30 grams of alcohol – equivalent to three to four units – increased their bowel cancer risk by around 25%.

In the United Kingdom, one unit equates to eight grams of pure alcohol.

But the number of units a drink contains depends on how strong it is and how large the measure.

All the participants in the study were followed for a period of six years. During that period, 1,833 people developed bowel cancer.

Professor Tim Key, Cancer Research UK Epidemiologist and Deputy Director of the Cancer Epidemiology Unit in Oxford, said: “The research shows quite clearly that the more alcohol you drink the greater your risk of bowel cancer.

“The increase in risk is not large but it is important that people understand they can reduce their risk of a number of different cancers – including bowel cancer – by cutting down on alcohol.”

Dr. Lesley Walker, Cancer Research UK’s Director of Cancer Information, said: “There is a lot of confusion over safe levels of drinking.

“This partly arises over the increasing strength of some wines and beers and the fact that many pubs offer a large glass of wine that is actually equivalent to one third of a bottle.

“It is important that people do not automatically equate one drink with one unit.

“A large glass of wine with a high alcohol volume is likely to be the equivalent of considerably more than that.

“Cancer Research UK recommends that women should drink less than two units a day and men less than three.

“While there is increasing evidence that over indulging in alcohol can increase the risk of some cancers, research also shows that by far the biggest risk for life threatening diseases is the combination of smoking together with drinking alcohol.”

The British government actually recommends that men drink no more than three to four units of alcohol per day and women drink no more than two to three.

Pregnant women and those trying to conceive are ALWAYS told to avoid drinking altogether.

MARIETTA, Pa. (AP) — Malaria. Tuberculosis. Alzheimer’s disease. AIDS. Pandemic flu. Genital herpes. Urinary tract infections. Grass allergies. Traveler’s diarrhea. You name it, the pharmaceutical industry is working on a vaccine to prevent it.
Many could be on the market in five years or less.
Contrast that with five years ago, when so many companies had abandoned the vaccine business that half the U.S. supply of flu shots was lost because of contamination at one of the two manufacturers left.
Vaccines are no longer a sleepy, low-profit niche in a booming drug industry. Today, they’re starting to give ailing pharmaceutical makers a shot in the arm.
Read on at …Click Here

An American man being treated in Berlin who suffered from AIDS appears to have been cured of the immune disease 20 months after receiving a targeted bone marrow transplant normally used to fight leukemia, according to his doctors.

The physicians and researchers involved are cautioning that this astonishing case may be no more than a fluke. Advocates of gene therapy say this is a prime example of why gene research is so important. AIDS claims approximately 2 million lives each year and the virus has infected 33 million people worldwide.

The patients’ physician Dr. Gero Huetter has reported that his 42-year-old patient on Wednesday, the patient who remains anonymous, claims to have been infected with the AIDS virus for more than a decade. However after 20 months after undergoing a transplant of genetically selected bone marrow, the patient no longer shows signs of carrying the virus.

“We waited every day for a bad reading,” say Dr. Huetter.

It has not come. Researchers at Berlin’s Charite hospital and medical school say tests on the patient’s bone marrow, blood and other organ tissues have all shown no sign of the AIDS virus.

Dr. Andrew Badley, director of the HIV and immunology research lab at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., is being quoted that the tests made by the German physicians have probably not been extensive enough.

“A lot more scrutiny from a lot of different biological samples would be required to say it’s not present,” Dr. Badley

This isn’t the first time marrow transplants have been attempted for treating AIDS or HIV infection. In 1999, an article in the journal Medical Hypotheses reviewed the results of 32 attempts reported between 1982 and 1996. In two cases, HIV was apparently eradicated, the review reported.

Dr. Huetter’s patient was under treatment at Charite for both AIDS and leukemia, which developed unrelated to HIV.

Dr. Huetter – who is a hematologist, not an HIV specialist – prepared to treat the patient’s leukemia with a bone marrow transplant, says that some people carry a genetic mutation that seems to make them resistant to HIV infection.

If the mutation, “Delta 32”, is inherited from both parents, it prevents HIV from attaching itself to cells by blocking CCR5, a receptor that acts as a kind of gateway.

“I read it in 1996, coincidentally,” Dr. Huetter told reporters while I was still a medical student. “I remembered it and thought it might work.”

According to the latest statistics one in 1,000 Europeans and Americans have inherited the mutation from both parents, and Huetter set out to find one such person among donors that matched the patient’s marrow type. Out of 80 suitable donors, the 61st person tested positively for the “Delta 32” mutation.

The bone marrow transplant was preceded by a therapy of powerful drugs and radiation designed to kill off his own infected bone marrow cells and disable his immune system – a treatment fatal to between 20 and 30 percent of recipients.

The patient was also taken off the potent drugs used to treat his AIDS. Dr. Huetter’s and his medical team feared that the drug therapy might interfere with the new marrow cells’ survival. They risked lowering his defenses in the hopes that the new, mutated cells would reject the virus on their own.

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases in the U.S., in an interview with AP the procedure was too costly and too dangerous to employ as a firstline cure. But he said it could inspire researchers to pursue gene therapy as a means to block or suppress HIV.

“It helps prove the concept that if somehow you can block the expression of CCR5, maybe by gene therapy, you might be able to inhibit the ability of the virus to replicate,” according to Dr. Fauci.

David Roth, a professor of epidemiology and international public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said gene therapy as cheap and effective as current drug treatments is in very early stages of development.

“That’s a long way down the line because there may be other negative things that go with that mutation that we don’t know about.”

Even for the patient in Berlin, the lack of a clear understanding of exactly why his AIDS has disappeared means his future is far from certain.

“The virus is wily,” Dr. Huetter said. “There could always be a resurgence.”

According to tests prompted by Associated Press the number of people drinking water that’s been contaminated with trace amounts of drugs increased by 41 million people from AP’s last story on the situation this past March. The news service has been reporting there’s a potentially dangerous presence of pharmaceuticals in the nation’s reservoirs.

The AP stories on the tainted drinking water prompted both federal and local legislative hearings, which yielded by partisan calls for mandatory testing and disclosure. The substantial interest the AP stories generated also led officials in at least 27 additional metropolitan areas to analyze their drinking water. More than half, 17 cases of water proving positive for contamination from pharmaceuticals well known points of origin like Reno, Nev., Savannah, Ga., Colorado Springs, Colo., and Huntsville, Ala. Results are for still pending for three of the metropolitan location.

The increase in the number of known to be exposed to drug-contaminated drinking water supplies has grown dramatically simply because testing is increasing and the number widely by experts to be much higher.

Concern has grown so great communities and water utilities have bowed to pressure on this issue and are revealing and contributing data from previously unreleased test results.

There remain the vast majority of U.S. cities that have not tested their drinking water. Of the larger cities there were eight — including Boston, Phoenix and Seattle that get to brag their water remains untainted.

Andy Ryan, spokesman for Seattle Public Utilities was quoted by AP as saying…”We didn’t think we’d find anything because our water comes from a pristine source, but after the AP stories we wanted to make sure and reassure our customers.”

The substances detected in the latest tests reported showed the same kind of water contamination of those reported in the earlier AP report.

The pharmaceuticals found in Chicago drinking water included a cholesterol medication and a nicotine derivative. Anti-convulsant carbamazepine was found in the drinking water of several cities. One of those communities, Colorado Springs, officials reported the detection of five pharmaceuticals in all, including a tranquilizer and a hormone.

Steve Berry a spokesman of Colorado Springs was interviewed by AP and was quoted as saying “This is obviously an emerging issue and after the AP stories came out we felt it was the responsible thing for us to do, as a utility, to find out where we stand. We believe that at these levels, based on current science, that the water is completely safe for our customers,” He went on to say… “We don’t want to create unnecessary alarm, but at the same time we have a responsibility as a municipal utility to communicate with our customers and let them know.”

AP received a confirmation by Bruce Grubb Fargo’s water was discovered to have concentrations of three drugs detected there were so incredibly small — parts per trillion — but he still decided to send the test results to the local health officer in attempt to figure out how to interpret the report for the community.

Grubb told AP “We plan to put this into some kind of context other than just scientific nomenclature, so folks can get some level of understanding about what it means,”.

Tainted water is most often caused by human excretion being flushed into sewers and waterways. There have been numerous reports of pharmaceuticals slipping through sewage and drinking water treatment plants.

The danger is still unclear, researchers are however finding evidence water diluted to extremely small concentrations of pharmaceutical residues do harm fish, frogs and other aquatic species in the wild and impair human cells in the laboratory.

There’s been a great deal of conflicting information and research for Vitamin E the past several years. Now there’s a report of “real-world” clinical data indicates that shows that vitamin E, and drugs that reduce generalized inflammation, may actually slow the decline of mental and physical abilities in persons suffering with Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

According to Dr. Alireza Atri “Our results are consistent for a potential benefit of vitamin E on slowing functional decline and a smaller possible benefit of anti-inflammatory medications on slowing cognitive decline in patients suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.”

Dr. Atri, who has privileges and works with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), the VA Bedford Medical Center, and Boston’s Harvard Medical School, which led the National Institutes of Health-sponsored research. These findings, were reported at the annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society in Chicago, stem from data on 540 patients treated at the MGH Memory Disorders Unit.

All of the patients were receiving standard-of-care treatment with a drug intended to help patients with Alzheimer’s. As part of their clinical care, 208 patients also took vitamin E but no anti-inflammatory, 49 took an anti-inflammatory but no vitamin E, 177 took both vitamin E and an anti-inflammatory, and 106 took neither.

While the daily recommended dose of vitamin E ranged from 200 to 2000 units, the majority of patients were given high doses that ranged from 800 units daily to 1000 units twice daily.

Each patient’s performance on cognitive tests and their ability to carry out daily functions such as dressing and personal care were assessed every 6 months. After an average of 3 years, “there was a modest slowing of decline in function in those patients taking vitamin E,” study investigator Michael R. Flaherty noted in a telephone interview with Reuters Health.

Flaherty, a second-year student at the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine in Biddeford, Maine, presented the findings at the meeting. He added that the treatment benefit from vitamin E was “small to medium” but increased with time.

Taking an anti-inflammatory medication has long been associated with “very consistent but generally only slight effects on slowing long-term decline in cognitive functioning,” according to Dr. William Gruss, MD of Boca Raton Florida.

However, those patients included in this study who took both vitamin E and anti-inflammatory medications, there appeared to be an noticeable additive effect in terms of slowing overall decline.

“Clearly, between the results of past studies and the equivocal results of this latest National Institutes of Health-sponsored test, further studies are needed to assess the long-term balance of risks versus benefits for people with Alzheimer’s disease from taking vitamin E and anti-inflammatory drugs” insists Dr. Gruss. The upside potential is too promising to ignore.